Valentine rescuing Sylvia from Proteus

William Holman Hunt

Date:  1850 - 51

Materials: Oil on canvas

Influence of Shakespeare 

This was Hunt's first exhibited work on a Shakespearean theme and the frame is inscribed with quotes from 'The Two Gentleman of Verona' (Act V, Scene IV).

Valentine, standing in the centre, has just prevented Proteus, his best friend, from attempting to rape his beloved Sylvia (now kneeling at his feet).

The scene is one of reconciliation as Proteus, rubbing his injured neck, asks for forgiveness. The other young woman present , Julia, who is disguised as a boy, looks on in dismay, fingering the ring that Proteus had given her as a pledge of his devotion. 

Romantic passion

Dramatic tension caused by romantic passion is a recurring theme in the Pre-Raphaelites work.

The landscape was painted out of doors in parkland at Knowle and the figures in the studio.

Valentine's costume and leg armour were based on Bonnard's 'Costume Historique'. The other costumes are Hunt's own design. 

Hunt's use of colour was extraordinary. The brilliant pink and mauve pigments reflected the primary colours of medieval costume and help to distinguish the work of the Pre-Raphaelites from more conventional painting. 

"Common looking"

Such hostile criticism in 'The Times' "cramped style, false perspective and crude colour" followed its showing at the Royal Academy in 1851, that Ruskin wrote two letters to the paper in defence of the Pre-Raphaelites.

Lizzie Siddal modelled for Sylvia and was criticised in 'The Times' for being "common looking". Hunt decided to repaint her face and immediately after, the painting won a £50 prize at the Liverpool Academy exhibition of 1851.

In 1887 the Corporation of Birmingham paid 1,000 guineas for this picture, the third major Pre-Raphaelite to be bought for the city.