Romanticism of John William Waterhouse

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The hero of my current post John William Waterhouse is an English painter from the late XIX of the early twentieth century and is considered one of the greatest artists of his time. His paintings are rich in sensual and elegant images and have a delicious color.

"Anemon", 1916
Waterhouse was born in the family of artists in 1849 in Italy, the same year when the young Pre-Raphael first exhibited their works. After John's birth, the Waterhouse returned to England and settled in Kensington.

John first became acquainted with the world of painting, observing his father's work. He even helped him in the studio.

"The nymph found the head of Orpheus," 1900
In 1883, Waterhouse married artist Esther Kenworthy. The girl's father was an artist from Ealing. Two children of the couple died in childhood, and couples devoted themselves to each other.

Esther Kenworthy, 1885
In 1870, Waterhouse entered the Royal Academy. He received some of his artistic skills in Italy. Artists also teach at St. Art School. John from 1892 to 1913.

The painter wrote more than a hundred paintings. The inspiration for the early works was fashionable canvas at the time, such as Lawrence Alma-Tadema and Frederick Leighton.

Waterhouse is famous for its beautiful views of legends and mythology. He is also known for portraying beautiful women (Cleopatra, Ophelia, Elaine) with strong characters at the time before their death.

"Torn the rose as soon as possible", 1909.
"Appeal to oracle" - one of his paintings, bought by Sir Henry Tate, industrialist and philanthropist, in 1886. This event marked the beginning of his success as an artist.

The picture "Lady Shalott" was written under the inspiration of the poem by Tennyson with the same title. This is made in three versions. Each represents Elaine, the main character, at different times and in different situations, before death (he died of love for Lancelot). The model is Esther Waterhouse.

"Lady Shalott", 1888
At the end of the nineteenth century, Waterhouse began painting portraits and capturing many famous women of his time. "Holy Evlalia" (1885) - one of his best works, which is now stored in the Tate Gallery. "Ophelia", another popular image from John shows the last moments in the life of a hero, and there are also in three versions.

"Boreas", 1900
According to Ovid's Metamorphosis, Boreas is the North Wind. Falling in love with Orife, who refused, he kidnapped her when the girl was picking flowers. Waterhouse described Orifia, wrapped in a scarf, with her hands raised, trying to protect herself from the wind.

The artist died of cancer at the age of 67 years. He continued to paint until the last days of his life. "Magic Park" is the last painting, the remaining is not finished yet. John died while working on it, in the workshop.

The Enchanted Garden, 1916
Painter paintings are spread all over the world: in public museums in England and Australia, in private collections in the US and Russia.

Image source: 1, 2