Exploring Pre-Raphaelite Art Through an LGBTQ+ Lens

April 20, 2026 Off By

A unique collaboration highlights diverse perspectives on historic artworks

Bradford’s Cartwright Hall has partnered with local LGBTQ+ organisation Equity Partnership to offer a fresh perspective on their upcoming Pre-Raphaelite exhibition. This collaboration invites visitors to engage with the collection through the experiences and insights of Equity’s diverse membership, enriching understanding of the artworks on display.

Equity Partnership, based in Bradford and supporting the community for over 20 years, was approached by Jill Iredale, Community Curator at Cartwright Hall, to contribute to the exhibition. Sophie Powell and Rochyne Delaney McNulty from Equity wrote about the experience, emphasising the importance of accessibility and inclusion in art appreciation.

Behind the scenes at Cartwright Hall

In January, ten members of Equity Partnership were given exclusive access to view Pre-Raphaelite works in the museum’s stores, a rarely seen part of Bradford’s extensive art collection. The collection includes significant works by Ford Maddox Brown, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Edward Burne-Jones, and features William Morris wallpaper in the Refreshment Room.

Viewing the pieces up close, without the usual barriers of ropes or glass, created an intimate experience that allowed the group to connect deeply with the art. The members, ranging from art enthusiasts to graduates, shared their interpretations and discussed the creative process behind the works.

Focus on gender and representation

A key topic of discussion was the portrayal of gender, particularly through the figure of Jane Morris, a muse and model for Rossetti and Morris. Jane Morris’s androgynous appearance challenges traditional beauty standards of the Victorian era, sparking conversations about gender identity and expression that resonate with contemporary LGBTQ+ experiences.

Jane Morris’s legacy as both an artist and a subject disrupts conventional norms, drawing parallels with modern androgynous public figures. The Equity group explored how historical representations like hers contribute to ongoing dialogues about gender and queerness in art.

Significance of the partnership

This collaboration between Cartwright Hall and Equity Partnership exemplifies a progressive approach to curating and interpreting art. By incorporating lived experiences and diverse viewpoints, the project fosters inclusive conversations about representation, identity, and history within the arts.

Equity Partnership welcomes similar initiatives from other galleries and museums to further celebrate and embody queerness in art.

Learn more

For a detailed account of this collaboration and insights into the Pre-Raphaelite exhibition, readers are encouraged to visit the original blog post by Bradford Museums: