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

Henry Stacy Marks (1829 - 1898)
Henry Stacy Marks
1829 - 1898
Walter Thomas Monnington (1902 - 1976)
Walter Thomas Monnington
1902 - 1976
Ron Mueck (1958)
Ron Mueck
1958
Haroon Mirza (1977)
Haroon Mirza
1977
 STICK (1979)
STICK
1979
John Maxwell (1905 - 1962)
John Maxwell
1905 - 1962
Damien Hirst (1965)
Damien Hirst
1965
Peter Monamy (1681 - 1749)
Peter Monamy
1681 - 1749
John Randall Bratby (1928 - 1992)
John Randall Bratby
1928 - 1992
Robert Sharp ()
Robert Sharp
Rachel Whiteread (1963)
Rachel Whiteread
1963
Edith Rimmington (1902 - 1986)
Edith Rimmington
1902 - 1986
Robert Oscar Lenkiewicz (1941 - 2002)
Robert Oscar Lenkiewicz
1941 - 2002
John Watson Gordon (1788 - 1864)
John Watson Gordon
1788 - 1864
Arthur Segal (1875 - 1944)
Arthur Segal
1875 - 1944
Francis Grant (1803 - 1878)
Francis Grant
1803 - 1878

Creators Symbolism

Lydia Nikandrovna Verkhovskaya (1882 - 1919)
Lydia Nikandrovna Verkhovskaya
1882 - 1919
Mikhail Pelopidovich Latri (1875 - 1942)
Mikhail Pelopidovich Latri
1875 - 1942
Horst G. Loewel (1939)
Horst G. Loewel
1939
Moritz Schleime (1978)
Moritz Schleime
1978
Michel Gigon (1929 - 2022)
Michel Gigon
1929 - 2022
Claude Lepape (1913 - 1994)
Claude Lepape
1913 - 1994
Leonardo Bistolfi (1859 - 1933)
Leonardo Bistolfi
1859 - 1933
Matthias Maris (1839 - 1917)
Matthias Maris
1839 - 1917
Oscar Yakovlevich Rabin (1928 - 2018)
Oscar Yakovlevich Rabin
1928 - 2018
Ker-Xavier Roussel (1867 - 1944)
Ker-Xavier Roussel
1867 - 1944
Dušan Džamonja (1928 - 2009)
Dušan Džamonja
1928 - 2009
Johan (Jan) Thorn Prikker (1868 - 1932)
Johan (Jan) Thorn Prikker
1868 - 1932
John William Cheever (1912 - 1982)
John William Cheever
1912 - 1982
Abidin Elderoğlu (1901 - 1974)
Abidin Elderoğlu
1901 - 1974
John White Alexander (1856 - 1915)
John White Alexander
1856 - 1915
Carl Vilhelm Holsøe (1863 - 1935)
Carl Vilhelm Holsøe
1863 - 1935