George Frederic Watts (1817 - 1904)

George Frederic Watts (1817 - 1904) - photo 1

George Frederic Watts

George Frederic Watts was a distinguished British painter and sculptor associated with the Symbolist movement, celebrated for his allegorical works such as "Hope" and "Love and Life." Born in 1817, Watts's career spanned the Victorian era, during which he developed a style that sought to imbue his works with moral and philosophical depth. His ambition was to affect the viewer's mind through "nobility of line and color," aiming to elevate art to a medium of serious reflection and commentary on humanity's condition​​​​.

George Frederic Watts's early influences included the Elgin Marbles and the works of Titian, which inspired him to strive for a grandeur in his art that was both morally uplifting and aesthetically profound. He was a part of the vibrant cultural milieu of the Victorian era, mingling with notable figures of the time in the Prinsep circle of bohemians and contributing significantly to the artistic and intellectual life of 19th-century Britain​​​​.

Among Watts's most celebrated works are "Hope," featuring a blindfolded figure with a lyre, and "The Sower of the Systems," a visionary piece that prefigured abstract painting and explored themes of creation and the cosmos. This latter work, completed towards the end of his life, exemplifies Watts's lifelong fascination with the interplay between art, science, and spirituality​​​​.

George Frederic Watts's legacy is preserved in the Watts Gallery in Compton, Surrey, dedicated to his work, and through his contributions to public art, including the monumental sculpture "Physical Energy" in Kensington Gardens, London. His portraits of prominent Victorians, which include political, literary, and cultural figures, remain highly regarded for their insight and depth​​​​.

For those interested in the intersections of art, culture, and history, George Frederic Watts's work offers a rich exploration of Victorian values, aspirations, and anxieties. His enduring influence on British art and his role in the Symbolist movement make his work a key subject of study for collectors and experts in art and antiques.

To stay informed about exhibitions, sales, and events related to George Frederic Watts, signing up for updates is recommended. This will ensure that enthusiasts and collectors alike are always up-to-date on opportunities to engage with Watts's impactful legacy.

Date and place of birt:23 february 1817, London, United Kingdom
Date and place of death:1 july 1904, London, United Kingdom
Nationality:United Kingdom
Period of activity: XIX, XX century
Specialization:Artist, Painter, Sculptor
Genre:Allegory, Mythological painting, Portrait
Art style:Symbolism

Creators United Kingdom

George Unite (1798 - 1896)
George Unite
1798 - 1896
Nicola Tyson (1960)
Nicola Tyson
1960
Lincoln Townley (1972)
Lincoln Townley
1972
Alexander James Strachan ()
Alexander James Strachan
Stefan Knapp (1921 - 1996)
Stefan Knapp
1921 - 1996
Elizabeth Fritsch (1940)
Elizabeth Fritsch
1940
Mary Fedden (1915 - 2012)
Mary Fedden
1915 - 2012
Walter Richard Sickert (1860 - 1942)
Walter Richard Sickert
1860 - 1942
Joseph Paul (1804 - 1887)
Joseph Paul
1804 - 1887
Henry Clarence Whaite (1828 - 1912)
Henry Clarence Whaite
1828 - 1912
Tacita Dean (1965)
Tacita Dean
1965
Henry James Holiday (1839 - 1927)
Henry James Holiday
1839 - 1927
Frederick Cuming (1930 - 2022)
Frederick Cuming
1930 - 2022
Helen Saunders (1885 - 1963)
Helen Saunders
1885 - 1963
John Sibthorp (1758 - 1796)
John Sibthorp
1758 - 1796
James Shruder ()
James Shruder

Creators Symbolism

Jules Wengel (1865 - 1934)
Jules Wengel
1865 - 1934
Egon Schiele (1890 - 1918)
Egon Schiele
1890 - 1918
Shimon Holloshi (1857 - 1918)
Shimon Holloshi
1857 - 1918
Heinrich Kley (1863 - 1945)
Heinrich Kley
1863 - 1945
Arthur Rimbaud (1854 - 1891)
Arthur Rimbaud
1854 - 1891
Pelle Adolf Svedlund (1865 - 1947)
Pelle Adolf Svedlund
1865 - 1947
Konstantinos Parthenis (1878 - 1967)
Konstantinos Parthenis
1878 - 1967
Georges Lacombe (1868 - 1916)
Georges Lacombe
1868 - 1916
Ferdinand Hodler (1853 - 1918)
Ferdinand Hodler
1853 - 1918
Felice Casorati (1883 - 1963)
Felice Casorati
1883 - 1963
Worthington Whittredge (1820 - 1910)
Worthington Whittredge
1820 - 1910
Edgar Maxence (1871 - 1954)
Edgar Maxence
1871 - 1954
Alexander Konstantinovich Orlov (1899 - 1979)
Alexander Konstantinovich Orlov
1899 - 1979
Emmi Walther (1860 - 1936)
Emmi Walther
1860 - 1936
Wang Xingwei (1969)
Wang Xingwei
1969
Achille Perilli (1927 - 2021)
Achille Perilli
1927 - 2021