Today I'm going to take the time to explore the work of artist John William Waterhouse. Known for his Pre-Raphaelite style, many of his paintings are the epitome of romance. Here’s a look at his life and adoration for the softer side of life:
John William Waterhouse was born into an artistic family in the spring of 1849. Nicknamed Nino, he entered the world in Italy but later moved to England. It was there that he began his formal art education in the late 1870s. However, he did not stay put. As a young man, he frequently traveled across Europe in search of inspiration. Much of J.W. Waterhouse’s paintings featured remarkable women with ties to myths and legends. He portrayed them with a great sense of realism, strength and tradition. In addition, he liked to use both oils and watercolors in his representations.
Some of the women featured in his paintings were placed in solitary situations. Examples include The Crystal Ball (1902), The Shrine (1895), Mermaid (1901) Ophelia Lying in the Meadow (1905) and the Lady of Shalott (1888). Other female subjects were displayed in a romantic embrace, frolicking with others, working and engaging in other activities. The list of his works that feature romantic liaisons includes, but is certainly not confined to, La Belle Dame Sans Merci (1893), Echo and Narcissus (1903), Lamia (1905) and Hylas and the Nymphs (1896)
When he wasn’t painting, John William Waterhouse was teaching, traveling and participating in artist communities with his wife Esther Kenworthy. Although not as successful as her beloved husband, she had her own passion for painting. Her list of favorite subject matter included a variety of flora.
Today, prints of John William Waterhouse’s paintings are available through Fulcrum Gallery. So you may want to stop by before Valentine’s Day and check out Waterhouse’s work for yourself.
