1853 -1928 · London, Royal Academy and Victorian imagination

Chivalry, literary passions and sumptuous portraits give Frank Dicksee a unique place in late Victorian painting.

Francis Bernard Dicksee, generally called Frank Dicksee, was born in London in 1853 and died there in 1928. Son of the painter Thomas Francis Dicksee, he grew up in a family of artists and entered the schools of the Royal Academy in 1870. he distinguished quickly before becoming an academician, then president of the institution from 1924 to his death. Dicksee painted portraits, illustrated books and constructed large historical or literary scenes where costume, decor and emotion were closely orchestrated. Dicksee painted portraits, illustrated books and constructed large historical or literary scenes where costume, decor and emotion were closely orchestrated. Chivalry paints portraits, illustrates books and constructs large historical or literary scenes where costume, decor and emotion were closely orchestrated. Chivalry paints portraits, illustrates books and constructs large historical or literary scenes where costume, decor and emotion were closely orchestrated. Chivalry paints portraits, illustrates books and constructs large historical or literary scenes where costume, decor and emotion were closely orchestrated. Chivalry paints portraits, illustrates books and constructs large historical or literary scenes where costume, decor and emotion were closely orchestrated. Ch Shakespeare through an exchange of glances and suspended gestures. The Two Crowns confronts earthly power and spiritual ideal in a spectacular composition. His smooth technique, rich color and taste for storytelling extend certain Pre-Raphaelite ambitions while remaining linked to the great academic tradition. At a time when the avant-garde was transforming the criteria of modernism, Dicksee defended the discipline of drawing and the emotional power of narrative painting. His work remains one of the most immediately seductive expressions of late Victorian romanticism. His work remains one of the most immediately seductive expressions of late Victorian romanticism. His work remains one of the most immediately seductive expressions of late Victorian romanticism. His work remains one of the most immediately seductive expressions of late Victorian romanticism. His work remains one of the most immediately seductive expressions of late Victorian romanticism. His work remains one of the most immediately seductive expressions of late Victorian romanticism. His work remains one of the most immediately seductive expressions of late Victorian romanticism. His work remains one of the most immediately seductive expressions of late Victorian romanticism. His work remains one of the most immediately seductive expressions of late Victor reading favors the story.

Dicksee paints the moment when the story changes: an outstretched hand, a look or a fabric is enough to bring the viewer into the legend.