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
Richard Brydges Beechey (1808 - 1895)
Richard Brydges Beechey
1808 - 1895
Francis Grant (1803 - 1878)
Francis Grant
1803 - 1878
Norah Gurdon (1882 - 1974)
Norah Gurdon
1882 - 1974
Thomas Banks (1735 - 1805)
Thomas Banks
1735 - 1805
Craigie Aitchison (1926 - 2009)
Craigie Aitchison
1926 - 2009
Bernard Lens III (1682 - 1740)
Bernard Lens III
1682 - 1740
Edward Aldridge ()
Edward Aldridge
Laurence Stephen Lowry (1887 - 1976)
Laurence Stephen Lowry
1887 - 1976
John Smart (1741 - 1811)
John Smart
1741 - 1811
Julian Stair (1955)
Julian Stair
1955
Samuel J. Herman (1936 - 2020)
Samuel J. Herman
1936 - 2020
Ronald Searle (1920 - 2011)
Ronald Searle
1920 - 2011
Reginald Neal (1909 - 1992)
Reginald Neal
1909 - 1992
Ethelbert White (1891 - 1972)
Ethelbert White
1891 - 1972
Louis William Wain (1860 - 1939)
Louis William Wain
1860 - 1939

Creators Symbolism

Max Klinger (1857 - 1920)
Max Klinger
1857 - 1920
Graal Arelsky (1888 - 1937)
Graal Arelsky
1888 - 1937
Lucien-Victor Guirand de Scévola (1871 - 1950)
Lucien-Victor Guirand de Scévola
1871 - 1950
Caspar David Friedrich (1774 - 1840)
Caspar David Friedrich
1774 - 1840
Édouard Dujardin (1861 - 1949)
Édouard Dujardin
1861 - 1949
Ernst Marow (1934 - 2018)
Ernst Marow
1934 - 2018
Kharlampi Dmitrievich Kostandi (1860 - 1917)
Kharlampi Dmitrievich Kostandi
1860 - 1917
Boris Izrailevich Anisfeld (1878 - 1973)
Boris Izrailevich Anisfeld
1878 - 1973
Oswaldo Guayasamín (1919 - 1999)
Oswaldo Guayasamín
1919 - 1999
Vivian Forbes (1891 - 1937)
Vivian Forbes
1891 - 1937
Alexander Rothaug (1870 - 1946)
Alexander Rothaug
1870 - 1946
André Malraux (1901 - 1976)
André Malraux
1901 - 1976
Maximilian Alexandrovich Voloshin (1877 - 1932)
Maximilian Alexandrovich Voloshin
1877 - 1932
Jens Ferdinand Willumsen (1863 - 1958)
Jens Ferdinand Willumsen
1863 - 1958
Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859 - 1937)
Henry Ossawa Tanner
1859 - 1937
Suzanne Valadon (1865 - 1938)
Suzanne Valadon
1865 - 1938