What defines the characteristic style of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood?

The characteristic style of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood is defined by detailed naturalism and vibrant colors. This art movement, which emerged in the mid-19th century, sought to return to the intense colors and meticulous detail seen in art before the influence of Raphael and the academic traditions that followed. Members of the Brotherhood emphasized the importance of capturing nature accurately, which involved studying light, color, and the minute characteristics of their subjects.

Their paintings often depicted themes from literature, mythology, and religion, infused with rich colors that gave their work a strikingly vivid quality. This focus on detail and color was a reaction against the more subdued palettes and broader brush strokes that characterized much of the art of their time, particularly that of the academic painters. Thus, the combination of detailed representation and a lively color palette distinctively embodies the Pre-Raphaelite approach, making this choice the correct one.