Portrait drawings

The Pre-Raphaelites often drew portraits of each other, their families, fellow artists and friends. Many of these were made as mementoes, to record the appearance of babies, children and loved ones, much as we take snapshots today. They were also given as tokens of love or friendship. Only one drawing in this section, by Frederick Sandys, is a commissioned portrait, ordered and paid for by the sitter's family.

As the young Pre-Raphaelites could not always afford professional models, they often asked friends and family to pose for characters in their paintings. Two family portraits that were made as studies for paintings are included in the Studies for Paintings section.

Gallery of portrait drawings

In this section

• Early Pre-Raphaelite drawing style
• Portrait drawings
• Studies for paintings
• Pre-Raphaelite landscape
• Pre-Raphaelite women
• Pre-Raphaelite Drawings exhibition

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