ford madox brown - eTheses Repository - University of Birmingham

ABSTRACT
This collaborative thesis focuses on the extensive collection of works on paper and
related objects by Ford Madox Brown (1821-1893) held at Birmingham Museums and
Art Gallery (BMAG). It is the first academic study to use Brown's works on paper as
the basis for discussion. In doing so it seeks to throw light on neglected areas of his
work and to highlight the potential of prints and drawings as subjects for scholarly
research.
The thesis comprises a complete catalogue of the works on paper by Brown held at
BMAG and three discursive chapters exploring the strengths of the collection.
Chapter one focuses on the significant number of literary and religious works Brown
made in Paris between 1841 and 1844 and examines his position in the cross-cultural
dialogues taking place in Europe in the mid-nineteenth century. Chapter two uses the
dual definition of the word 'construction' to examine how his interpretation of history
was affected by contemporary changes in historiography, and to discuss his practical
approach to composing a history painting. Chapter 3 studies illustrations he made for
publication. Progressing chronologically, it explores his changing attitude towards
illustration as a medium and argues that these works had increasing importance for his
artistic career. The catalogue is the most up-to-date and informative inventory of the
collection and includes new identifications, titles and dates and exegeses.