Russell-Cotes museum houses Pre-Rafaelite painting

Description:

Venus Verticordia !

The BBC are currently running a series about the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood - a group of painters who shocked and rocked the Victorian establishment.

However many viewers will be unaware that one of most famous Pre-Raphaelite paintings is on display in Bournemouth.

Venus Verticordia was created by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, one of the artists featured in "Desperate Romantics" (BBC2 Tuesdays). It hangs in Bournemouth's Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, which has been described as one of the most "fascinating and unique" museums in the world.

Venus Verticordia is believed to be the ancient goddess of love but the painting reflects more than just sexual desire. The title reminds the viewer that as "turner of hearts", Venus also inspired Roman women to follow virtue and modesty. She is partially nude, surrounded by roses and honeysuckle, holding an apple in one hand and an arrow in the other.

In the Victorian era, detractors accused the Pre-Raphaelites of being vulgar, but they were widely admired after being championed by the eminent critic of the time, John Ruskin.