The Pre-Raphaelites were a group of English artists, poets, and critics founded in 1848. They sought to challenge the academic standards of their time by embracing a more naturalistic style and vibrant colors. Their name refers to the period before the artist Raphael, whose work they believed had become overly idealized and formulaic. Key figures in the movement included painters like Dante Gabriel Rossetti, John Everett Millais, and William Holman Hunt. They often drew inspiration from literature, nature, and medieval themes, creating works that emphasized emotional depth and intricate detail. The movement significantly influenced later art movements, including Symbolism and Art Nouveau.