Who was John William Waterhouse? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In April

Died At Age: 67

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Esther Kenworthy Waterhouse (m. 1883)

father: William Waterhouse

mother: Isabella Waterhouse

Born Country: Italy

British Men British Artists & Painters

Died on: February 10, 1917

Cause of Death: Cancer

City: Rome, Italy

More Facts

education: Royal Academy of Arts

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1

What is John William Waterhouse known for?

John William Waterhouse is known for being a prominent English painter known for his Pre-Raphaelite style and his depictions of mythological and literary themes.
2

What inspired John William Waterhouse's artwork?

John William Waterhouse's artwork was inspired by classical mythology, literature, and medieval themes, which he often depicted in a romantic and detailed style.
3

Where can one find John William Waterhouse's paintings?

John William Waterhouse's paintings can be found in various museums and art galleries around the world, including the Tate Britain in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
4

What techniques did John William Waterhouse use in his paintings?

John William Waterhouse primarily used oil paint on canvas for his paintings and was known for his attention to detail, use of vibrant colors, and skillful depiction of textures and fabrics.
5

How did John William Waterhouse's work contribute to the Pre-Raphaelite movement?

John William Waterhouse's work contributed to the Pre-Raphaelite movement by embodying the movement's ideals of a return to the detailed and symbolic style of early Italian art and a focus on literary and mythological subjects.

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Career

Despite the fact that John William Waterhouse is best remembered as a Pre-Raphaelite artist, he did not start his career as one. His early works were based on classical themes, primarily in the spirit of Alma-Tadema and Frederic Leighton. The initial works of his career were exhibited at the Dudley Gallery and the Society of British Artists. His painting ‘Sleep and his Half-brother Death’, which was exhibited at the Royal Academy summer exhibition in 1874, earned him success and popularity. It was exhibited at the annual exhibition every year till 1916. He is known to have created more than 200 paintings in his lifetime.

Waterhouse also taught at the St John’s Wood Art School and was part of the St John’s Wood Arts Club. He served on the Royal Academy Council as well.

He was inspired by two major artists of his time: Sir Frederic Lord Leighton and Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema. John William Waterhouse was known for his unique style of painting classical as well as mythical scenes. He had an eye for natural beauty and beautiful female figures. He painted several portraits of some of the era’s most famous women.

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Major Works

John William Waterhouse’s well-known paintings in the early 1870s include ‘The Unwelcome Companion: A Street Scene in Cairo’, which was completed in 1873, and exhibited at the gallery of the Society of British Artists. He then painted ‘In the Peristyle’ in 1874, ‘Miranda’ in 1875, and ‘A Sick Child brought into the Temple of Aesculapius’ in 1877.

His works in the 1880s include ‘Diogenes’ in 1882, ‘Consulting the Oracle’ in 1884, ‘The Magic Circle’ in 1886, and ‘Cleopatra’ in 1888. ‘Consulting the Oracle’ was bought by Sir Henry Tate in 1886, bringing Waterhouse a lot of fame and appreciation. In the 1890s, he painted ‘Danae’ in 1892, ‘Circle Invidiosa’ in 1892, and ‘Saint Cecilia’ in 1895. He also created several works in the 20th century, some of them being ‘Echo and Narcissus’ in 1903, ‘Jason and Medea’ in 1907, ‘Ophelia’ in 1910, and ‘Miranda--The Tempest’ in 1916.

Family & Personal Life

John William Waterhouse got married to Esther Kenworthy in 1883. She was the daughter of an art schoolmaster from Ealing. An artist herself, she used to exhibit her own paintings of flowers at the Royal Academy and other places.

The Ophelia paintings were meant to be a series but remained unfinished as John William Waterhouse became seriously ill with cancer. After suffering for a few years, he passed away in 1917. His grave is located at Kensal Green Cemetery in London.

Facts About John William Waterhouse

John William Waterhouse was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to capture the beauty and emotion of his subjects in his paintings.

Waterhouse often drew inspiration from mythology, literature, and history, creating dreamlike and enchanting scenes in his artwork.

He was a highly respected member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group of artists who rejected the academic conventions of their time and sought to create art that was more authentic and emotionally resonant.

Waterhouse's use of vibrant colors and his skillful portrayal of light and shadow set him apart as a master of the Romantic style of painting.

Despite facing criticism from some art critics during his lifetime, Waterhouse's work has endured and continues to be celebrated for its timeless beauty and evocative storytelling.

John William Waterhouse Biography

You wanted to know

What is John William Waterhouse known for?

What inspired John William Waterhouse's artwork?

Where can one find John William Waterhouse's paintings?

What techniques did John William Waterhouse use in his paintings?

How did John William Waterhouse's work contribute to the Pre-Raphaelite movement?