British artist Ford Madox Brown (1821 – 1893) was a master of meticulous craftsmanship and coloring who pioneered the one-man art show and the Pre-Raphaelite movement. A staunch individualist, Brown associated with the Pre-Raphaelites, but never actually joined the Brotherhood, although he was a decorator for William Morris. Known for historic and religious art, his best-known piece is the socially idealistic “Work.” The pinnacle of his career was a commission to paint 12 murals in Manchester Hall, which took him 15 years to complete.

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