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

Frank Auerbach (1931)
Frank Auerbach
1931
James Clarke Hook (1819 - 1907)
James Clarke Hook
1819 - 1907
Jakob Bogdani (1658 - 1724)
Jakob Bogdani
1658 - 1724
Johannes Kip (1653 - 1722)
Johannes Kip
1653 - 1722
Cecil Kennedy (1905 - 1997)
Cecil Kennedy
1905 - 1997
Oscar Nemon (1906 - 1985)
Oscar Nemon
1906 - 1985
Thomas Daniell (1749 - 1840)
Thomas Daniell
1749 - 1840
Alfred James Montague (1832 - 1883)
Alfred James Montague
1832 - 1883
Bryan Wynter (1915 - 1975)
Bryan Wynter
1915 - 1975
Jussuf Abbo (1890 - 1953)
Jussuf Abbo
1890 - 1953
Alexander George Findlay (1812 - 1875)
Alexander George Findlay
1812 - 1875
Thomas Faed (1826 - 1900)
Thomas Faed
1826 - 1900
Eugene von Guérard (1811 - 1901)
Eugene von Guérard
1811 - 1901
Nathaniel Mills I (1746 - 1843)
Nathaniel Mills I
1746 - 1843
Michael Armitage (1984)
Michael Armitage
1984
John Houle ()
John Houle

Creators Symbolism

Jan Bogaerts (1878 - 1962)
Jan Bogaerts
1878 - 1962
Julius Paulsen (1860 - 1940)
Julius Paulsen
1860 - 1940
Fabrizio Clerici (1913 - 1993)
Fabrizio Clerici
1913 - 1993
Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst (1868 - 1938)
Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst
1868 - 1938
Ronald Paris (1933 - 2021)
Ronald Paris
1933 - 2021
Leidy Churchman (1979)
Leidy Churchman
1979
Artemy Lavrentievich Ober (1843 - 1917)
Artemy Lavrentievich Ober
1843 - 1917
Walter Crane (1845 - 1915)
Walter Crane
1845 - 1915
Wilhelm Kotarbiński (1848 - 1921)
Wilhelm Kotarbiński
1848 - 1921
 Toyen (1902 - 1980)
Toyen
1902 - 1980
Harald Slott-Moller (1864 - 1937)
Harald Slott-Moller
1864 - 1937
Gustave Moreau (1826 - 1898)
Gustave Moreau
1826 - 1898
Félicien Rops (1833 - 1898)
Félicien Rops
1833 - 1898
Georges de Feure (1868 - 1943)
Georges de Feure
1868 - 1943
Johann Georg Müller (1913 - 1986)
Johann Georg Müller
1913 - 1986
Lydia Nikandrovna Verkhovskaya (1882 - 1919)
Lydia Nikandrovna Verkhovskaya
1882 - 1919