John William Waterhouse was an English painter of classical, historical, and literary subjects. He created his paintings in the style of Romanticism. Waterhouse's artworks were known for their depictions of women from both ancient Greek mythology and Arthurian legend.
Background
Waterhouse was born in Rome, Italy. The exact date of his birth is unknown, though it is believed that he was born between 1 and 23 January in 1849. Waterhouse was baptised on April 6, 1849.
John Waterhouse was the son of William and Isabella Waterhouse. Waterhouse was brought up in a very artistic household as both of his parents were painters. In the 1850s his family moved back to London and settled in the Kensington area of the city for the rest of his childhood. He was referred to as "Nino" throughout his life.
Education
John Waterhouse became interested in the world of painting since an early age by observing his father work. In fact, he even helped his father in his studio whilst he was painting. He was encouraged to become involved in drawing. He used to sketch artworks that he found in the British Museum and the National Gallery.
Waterhouse began his studies at the Royal Academy in London in 1870, at first pursuing sculpture. However, by 1874 he had shifted to painting.
In 1883 Waterhouse moved to the Primrose Hill Studios (number 3, and later, number 6). Later there lived such artists as Arthur Rackham and Patrick Caulfield. Waterhouse painted his early artworks primarily in oils. In 1884, his work "Consulting the Oracle" brought him favourable reviews. It was bought by Sir Henry Tate, who also purchased "The Lady of Shalott" during the 1888 Academy exhibition.
In the mid-1880s Waterhouse started to exhibit with the Grosvenor Gallery and also its successor, the New Gallery, as well as at various provincial exhibitions in Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester. John Waterhouse's paintings of this period, including Mariamne, were widely exhibited in England as well as abroad as part of the international symbolist movement.
One of Waterhouse's most favorite subjects was Ophelia. His most familiar painting of Ophelia depicts her just before her death; the artist puts flowers in her hair as she sits on a tree branch leaning over a lake. He submitted his 1888 "Ophelia" painting in order to receive his diploma from the Royal Academy. Originally, he had wanted to submit a painting titled "A Mermaid", but didn't manage to complete it on time. After this, the painting was lost until the 20th century. John Waterhouse painted "Ophelia" again in 1894 and 1909 or 1910. Moreover, he planned another painting in the series, called Ophelia in the Churchyard. It is now displayed in the collection of Lord Lloyd-Webber.
The artist continued producing artworks of the mythological and literary themes throughout the 1890s and 1900s. Besides, in the 1890s Waterhouse began to exhibit portraits. In 1900 he was the primary initiator of the Artists' War Fund, creating "Destiny", and contributing to a theatrical performance. The pictures offered to the War Fund were auctioned at Christie's.
In 1901 changed his place of residence, moving to St John's Wood and joining the St John's Wood Arts Club, a social organization with such members as George Clausen and Alma-Tadema. He also served on the advisory council of the St. John's Wood Art School. Young and upcoming "neo Pre-Raphaelite" painters such as Byam Shaw numbered amongst his pupils.
Despite suffering from increasing fragility during the final years of his life, John Waterhouse continued painting until his death from cancer in 1917. Between 1908 and 1914 he worked on a series of paintings based upon the Persephone legend. Then he produced art pieces based upon literature and mythology in 1916 (Miranda, Tristram and Isolde). One of his final artworks was "The Enchanted Garden". However, it was never completed.
John Waterhouse was a prolific artist, widely-known for his paintings. He had a unique style of painting which distinguished him among his contemporaries. The artist produced over 200 paintings during his lifetime and was highly respected by his peers and patrons alike. Waterhouse executed excellent portraits of some of the famous women of that era.
During his lifetime, John William Waterhouse managed to create a number of high quality paintings, including "A Naiad", "Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May", "The Lady of Shallot", "Ophelia", "The Enchanted Garden", and many more.
Some of the paintings from Ophelia series by Waterhouse are currently displayed in Lord Lyold Webber’s collection.
The Visit of a Sick Child to the Temple of Aesculapius
Ulysses and the Sirens
Saint Cecilia
In the Peristyle
Beatrice
After the Dance
A Roman Offering
Esther Kenworthy
Jason and Medea
Apollo and Daphne
Narcissus
The Lady of Shalott
Portrait of Mrs.Charles Schreiber
Ophelia
Boreas
St.Joan
A Female Study
Echo and Narcissus
The Naiad
Psyche entering Cupid's Garden
Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysses
Maidens picking Flowers by a Stream
Ophelia
The Lady of Shalott
The Unwelcome Companion (A Street Scene in Cairo)
The Mystic Wood
Lady Violet Henderson
Sketch for A Mermaid
Listen to my Sweet Pipings
The Awakening of Adonis
The Remorse of Nero After the Murder of His Mother
Cleopatra
Sleep and His Half Brother Death
The Bouquet
Crystal Ball
Ophelia
The Charmer
The Missal
A alma da rosa ou Minha doce rosa
I am Half Sick of Shadows, said the Lady of Shalott
Portrait of Miss Claire Kenworthy
Sketch for Flora and the Zephyrs
The Loggia
Miss Betty Pollock
A Hamadryad
The Household Gods
Mariana in the South
Gone, But Not Forgotten
Pandora
The Crystal Ball
Diogenes
Thisbe
Tristram and Isolde
Penelope and the Suitors
Psyche Opening the Golden Box
Destiny
The Annunciation (Ecce Ancilla Domini)
The Rose Bower
Flora
The Enchanted Garden
Hylas and the Nymphs
Nymphs Finding the Head of Orpheus
Gathering Almond Blossoms
Dante and Beatrice
The favourites of Emperor Honorius
The Soul of the Rose
Miranda
The Slave
Gather Ye Rosebuds or Ophelia
Windflowers
Flower Sketch for The Enchanted Garden
The Merman
Phyllis Waterlow
The Toilet
Fair Rosamund
A Song of Springtime
Resting
Mariamne Leaving the Judgement Seat of Herod
Lamia and the Soldier
The Easy Chair
Miranda
Consulting the Oracle
Flora and the Zephyrs
Membership
John Waterhouse joined the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours in 1883, leaving it in 1889. In 1885 he was elected an associate of the Royal Academy and he became its full member in 1895.
Royal Academy of Arts
,
United Kingdom
1885
Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours
,
United Kingdom
1883 - 1889
Personality
Waterhouse led a quiet social life.
Interests
Artists
Frederic Lord Leighton, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema
Connections
John Waterhouse married Esther Kenworthy Waterhouse in 1883. She was the daughter of an art schoolmaster from Ealing. Esther Waterhouse was also a painter and exhibited her own flower-paintings at the Royal Academy and elsewhere.
Father:
William Waterhouse
Mother:
Isabella Waterhouse
Spouse:
Esther Kenworthy Waterhouse
Esther Kenworthy Waterhouse (1857-1944), born Esther Maria Kenworthy, was a British artist.
References
John Waterhouse: 175 Plates
The book tells the story of one of the most prominent artists of late 19th and early 20th centuries, John Waterhouse.
The Women of Waterhouse: 24 Cards (Dover Postcards)
Twenty-four of John William Waterhouse's finest paintings appear here in card format, among them The Lady of Shalott, The Soul of the Rose, and La Belle Dame Sans Merci.
2006
The Pre-Raphaelites: Their Lives and Works
This book opens by looking at key Pre-Raphaelite artists in turn, documenting the artists' lives and the development of their talents. Includes a stunning gallery of more than 290 Pre-Raphaelite works.
2012
J.W. Waterhouse
Peter Trippi's monograph provides a timely re-evaluation that combines a close reading of Waterhouse's imagery with a new appraisal of his unique and enduring qualities.
