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

Richard Bertram Brooker (1888 - 1955)
Richard Bertram Brooker
1888 - 1955
James Edward Smith (1759 - 1828)
James Edward Smith
1759 - 1828
William Orpen (1878 - 1931)
William Orpen
1878 - 1931
Bernard Leach (1887 - 1979)
Bernard Leach
1887 - 1979
John Varley (1778 - 1842)
John Varley
1778 - 1842
Joseph Paul (1804 - 1887)
Joseph Paul
1804 - 1887
Walter Herbert Withers (1854 - 1914)
Walter Herbert Withers
1854 - 1914
William George Gillies (1898 - 1973)
William George Gillies
1898 - 1973
Samuel J. Herman (1936 - 2020)
Samuel J. Herman
1936 - 2020
John Lindley (1799 - 1865)
John Lindley
1799 - 1865
Dora Lynnell Wilson (1883 - 1946)
Dora Lynnell Wilson
1883 - 1946
Walter Thomas Monnington (1902 - 1976)
Walter Thomas Monnington
1902 - 1976
Edmund Blair Leighton (1852 - 1922)
Edmund Blair Leighton
1852 - 1922
Oswald Hornby Birley (1880 - 1952)
Oswald Hornby Birley
1880 - 1952
Raphaella Beatrice Spence (1978)
Raphaella Beatrice Spence
1978
Charles Augustus Mornewick (1793 - 1874)
Charles Augustus Mornewick
1793 - 1874

Creators Symbolism

Hans von Marees (1837 - 1887)
Hans von Marees
1837 - 1887
Henry de Groux (1866 - 1930)
Henry de Groux
1866 - 1930
Max Švabinský (1873 - 1962)
Max Švabinský
1873 - 1962
Edmond François Aman-Jean (1858 - 1936)
Edmond François Aman-Jean
1858 - 1936
Wladyslaw Wankie (1860 - 1925)
Wladyslaw Wankie
1860 - 1925
Hanns Pellar (1886 - 1971)
Hanns Pellar
1886 - 1971
William Butler Yeats (1865 - 1939)
William Butler Yeats
1865 - 1939
Heinrich Kley (1863 - 1945)
Heinrich Kley
1863 - 1945
Lydia Nikandrovna Verkhovskaya (1882 - 1919)
Lydia Nikandrovna Verkhovskaya
1882 - 1919
Dmitri Plavinsky (1937 - 2012)
Dmitri Plavinsky
1937 - 2012
Henry John Stock (1853 - 1930)
Henry John Stock
1853 - 1930
Filippo Carcano (1840 - 1914)
Filippo Carcano
1840 - 1914
Vasily Dmitrievich Milioti (1875 - 1943)
Vasily Dmitrievich Milioti
1875 - 1943
Constant Montald (1862 - 1944)
Constant Montald
1862 - 1944
Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis (1875 - 1911)
Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis
1875 - 1911
Vivian Forbes (1891 - 1937)
Vivian Forbes
1891 - 1937