How did the later Pre-Raphaelite movement differ from the original Brotherhood’s focus on truth to nature?

The original Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood was founded on a commitment to "truth to nature," characterized by a near-photographic reproduction of minute details, sharp lighting, and a sincere, unadorned approach to religious and literary subjects.12

In contrast, the later stage of the movement—epitomized by artists such as Edward Burne-Jones and the later work of Dante Gabriel Rossetti—shifted away from this rigorous naturalism. This evolution moved toward Aestheticism, prioritizing:1

• Sensual and Mystical Romanticism: Rather than copying the precise appearance of objects in nature, later works emphasized a more arcane, imaginative, and subjective vision.13
• Stylistic Refinement: Paintings became characterized by jewel-toned palettes, elegantly attenuated figures, and languid, sensuous subjects rather than the "naive" directness of the early Brotherhood.13
• Art for Art’s Sake: The movement increasingly adopted the doctrine that art should exist for the sake of its beauty alone, moving away from the moral seriousness and social commentary that defined the early group's focus.14