Arthur Hughes

Arthur Hughes painted tender scenes of young love, usually set among spring blossom and ivy, in glowing purples, greens and blues. His pictures often show a quiet moment of doubt or longing between two people, and the colour does much of the emotional work.

Born in London, he studied at the Royal Academy Schools and was drawn to the Pre-Raphaelites after reading their magazine, The Germ. He was close to Rossetti, Millais and Holman Hunt but never became a formal member of the Brotherhood. April Love, his best known painting, was bought by William Morris and now hangs in Tate Britain. He was also a prolific illustrator, with over 750 book illustrations, including Tom Brown’s Schooldays and the fairy tales of George MacDonald.

In April Love, look at the deep violet of the dress against the green leaves, and the fallen petals at her feet.