ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Delaware Art Museum: America's Premier Pre-Raphaelite Collection

exhibition · 2026-05-12

Located in Wilmington, Delaware, the Delaware Art Museum boasts the most extensive and important collection of Pre-Raphaelite art in the U.S. and ranks among the finest globally outside the UK. The museum's holdings exceed 150 pieces, including paintings, drawings, photographs, decorative arts, and illustrated books. Notable works include Julia Margaret Cameron's 'Lancelot and Guinevere' (c. 1873), influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites and poet Alfred Tennyson; Marie Spartali Stillman's 'Love's Messenger' (1885), a mixed-media piece by the movement's leading female artist; and Edward Burne-Jones' 'The Council Chamber' (1872–1892), part of the Briar Rose series. Other significant pieces include Rossetti's 'Veronica Veronese' (1872) and 'Lady Lilith' (1866–1868).

Key facts

  • Delaware Art Museum holds the largest Pre-Raphaelite collection in the US.
  • Collection includes over 150 works: paintings, drawings, photographs, decorative arts, illustrated books.
  • Julia Margaret Cameron's 'Lancelot and Guinevere' (c. 1873) was inspired by Tennyson.
  • Marie Spartali Stillman was a Greek-British Pre-Raphaelite painter.
  • Frederick Sandys' 'May Margaret' (1865–1866) features a red-haired model.
  • Edward Burne-Jones' 'The Council Chamber' is part of the Briar Rose series.
  • Dante Gabriel Rossetti's 'Veronica Veronese' (1872) has a poetic frame inscription.
  • Rossetti's 'Lady Lilith' (1866–1868) depicts Lilith as a seductive figure.

Entities

Artists

  • Julia Margaret Cameron
  • Alfred Tennyson
  • Marie Spartali Stillman
  • Frederick Sandys
  • Mary
  • Millie
  • Edward Burne-Jones
  • Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Institutions

  • Delaware Art Museum

Locations

  • Wilmington
  • Delaware
  • United States
  • Britain
  • UK

Sources