«Drawing on a wealth of unpublished sketchbooks, journals and writings, this essential guide to John Brett (1831-1902) investigates the painter who was seen as the leader of the Pre-Raphaelite landscape school. As well as the familiar early works, including «The Val d'Aosta» and «The Stonebreaker», it provides rich information on his later, less-known coastal and marine paintings. Brett's turbulent friendship with John Ruskin is discussed, as are his relations with his beloved sister Rosa, and his partner Mary, with whom he had seven children. His fervent interest in astronomy, his love of the sea, and his lifelong pursuit of wealth and recognition are all examined in this reassessment, which concludes with a catalogue raisonne of his works, prepared by his descendent Charles Brett. It is published to coincide with an exhibition of John Brett's work at Birmingham, Barber Institute, 30 April — 4 July; London, Fine Art Society, 20 July — 7 August; and, Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Museum, 14 September — 28 November.»
