Group of German artists founded 1809 by Overbeck and Pforr, later joined by Cornelius. Originally called Brotherhood of St Luke (patron saint of artists) but came to be known as Nazarenes (ie inhabitants of Nazareth, Christ's home town) because of their religious devotion. Aim was to regenerate German painting by returning to purity of early Renaissance, meaning effectively art before Raphael. Known in England to Dyce and Ford Madox Brown who both reflected their ideas, the Nazarenes were part of the inspiration for the English Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood formed in 1848.