John William Waterhouse ( * 1849 † 1917 )
Artist John William Waterhouse
Immerse yourself in the mystical world of John William Waterhouse – the master of poetic romance and mythical narratives! His paintings blend graceful figures, vibrant colors, and profound symbolism, inspired by literature, mythology, and the Pre-Raphaelite movement. Discover his captivating works as high-quality art prints, stylish framed canvases, or artistically hand-painted pieces in customizable sizes!
John William Waterhouse was born on April 6, 1849, in Rome. He was a prominent English painter known for his mythological motifs featuring female figures in the Pre-Raphaelite style. Art accompanied Waterhouse throughout his childhood, as his parents were painters. The family, of English descent, returned to London from Italy in 1850. They then lived in South Kensington, near the Victoria and Albert Museum. Waterhouse spent much time in these museums, where he also made many sketches. The young Waterhouse often assisted his father in the studio, thus developing his artistic skills.
In 1870, the painter was admitted to the Royal Academy in London. He began his studies with sculpture but switched to painting in 1874. His early work was characterized by academic realism and classical themes. However, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema and Frederic Leighton also had a significant influence: bright colors, beautiful women, stories full of love, betrayal, and tragedy. Waterhouse was inspired by tragic female images, powerful femmes fatales, and mythological themes. He painted Ophelia several times, a character in William Shakespeare's drama Hamlet, The Lady of Shalott, the main character in Tennyson's poem, Circe Invidiosa, Cleopatra, La Belle Dame sans Merci, and various versions of Lamia.
In 1874, Waterhouse submitted his first painting, "Sleep and His Half-Brother Death," to the Royal Academy. From then on, his works were exhibited there every year until his death. The work "After the Dance," exhibited in 1876, won first place. From that point on, the Englishman's paintings became increasingly large-scale. From the mid-1880s, Waterhouse worked with the Grosvenor Gallery and the New Gallery, exhibiting in major cities such as Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester. In the 1870s and 80s, the artist made several trips to Europe, where he gathered much inspiration, and his popularity steadily grew.
In 1883, the artist married Esther Kenworthy, who also had artistic talent and was a great support in his career. In 1885, Waterhouse was elected an associate member of the Royal Academy and honored as a full member in 1895. In 1901, Waterhouse moved to St. John's Wood, where he also taught at the St. John's Wood Art School. There, Waterhouse also joined the St. John's Wood Arts Club, a social organization that included Alma-Tadema and George Clausen.
In the last ten years of his life, Waterhouse suffered from a general feeling of weakness, which did not prevent him from painting. He painted a series of mythological paintings telling the legend of Persephone, Isolde, Miranda, and Tristam. One of his last paintings was "The Enchanted Garden," which remained unfinished on the easel. The artist died of cancer on February 10, 1917.
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All images by John William Waterhouse
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