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  • Alexander Munro
Young Romilly
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Young Romilly about 1863
  • Scottish Art
Munro translated the naturalistic detail and engaging narrative of Pre-Raphaelite paintings into sculpture. Here the young boy, William of Egremont, and his long-haired greyhound, are poised on the brink of a chasm, about to plunge to their deaths in the River Wharfe. Munro was inspired by Wordsworth's poem 'The Force of Prayer' which recounts the legend of the founding of Bolton Abbey in Yorkshire in memory of William, 'Young Romilly'. Herbert Ingram, founder of the 'Illustrated London News', allowed one of his young sons to pose as William, so Munro carved the Ingram coat of arms on Romilly's tunic.

Glossary Open

Naturalism

Art based on the observation of objects rather than on theoretical or stylistic concerns.

Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood

A group of mid-19th century English artists inspired by the simplicity of pre-Renaissance Italian art, the name meaning 'before Raphael'. They favoured a close observation of nature and rejected academic rules. They drew on literature for subject matter and were closely associated with the Arts and Crafts movement. Members included John Everett Millais and Dante Gabriel Rossetti.

Naturalism, Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood

Details

  • Acc. No. NG 2571
  • Medium Marble
  • Size Height: 97.00 cm (plinth: 93 x 58.2 x 76.3cm)
  • Credit Purchased 1993

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Scottish Art