Love's Passing 1884

Evelyn De Morgan’s painting "Love's Passing" presents us with an ethereal scene rendered in oil paint on canvas, a medium steeped in artistic tradition. The smooth, almost porcelain-like finish she achieved speaks to the refined techniques of academic painting; built up through thin layers of color to create a luminous effect. The pigments themselves are subtly blended, and there's a conscious artistry in the way the paint mimics the textures of skin, fabric, and the natural world. However, what makes this painting particularly interesting is the tension it creates between the Pre-Raphaelite aesthetic of idealized beauty, and the darker theme of mortality. De Morgan has infused traditional techniques with her own personal vision, turning what could be a straightforward allegorical painting into a poignant meditation on the fleeting nature of life. So, while De Morgan's choice of materials places her firmly within the lineage of fine art, her sensitive handling of those materials, and her willingness to explore complex emotional themes, challenge any simple distinctions between craft and art.