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

Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson (1889 - 1946)
Christopher Richard Wynne Nevinson
1889 - 1946
Samuel Prout (1783 - 1852)
Samuel Prout
1783 - 1852
Alison Erika Forde Forde (1985)
Alison Erika Forde Forde
1985
George Inness (1825 - 1894)
George Inness
1825 - 1894
Nathaniel Dance-Holland (1735 - 1811)
Nathaniel Dance-Holland
1735 - 1811
Alfred de Bréanski (1852 - 1928)
Alfred de Bréanski
1852 - 1928
George Harvey (1806 - 1876)
George Harvey
1806 - 1876
Benjamin West (1738 - 1820)
Benjamin West
1738 - 1820
Robert Walker MacBeth (1848 - 1910)
Robert Walker MacBeth
1848 - 1910
James Tassie (1735 - 1799)
James Tassie
1735 - 1799
John Anster Fitzgerald (1819 - 1906)
John Anster Fitzgerald
1819 - 1906
Charles D'Oyly (1781 - 1845)
Charles D'Oyly
1781 - 1845
Gerald Festus Kelly (1879 - 1972)
Gerald Festus Kelly
1879 - 1972
William Calder Marshall (1813 - 1894)
William Calder Marshall
1813 - 1894
John Bourne (1943)
John Bourne
1943
Andy Goldsworthy (1956)
Andy Goldsworthy
1956

Creators Symbolism

Dagmar Riese (1953)
Dagmar Riese
1953
Edward Reginald Frampton (1872 - 1923)
Edward Reginald Frampton
1872 - 1923
Jacques-Elie-Abraham Hermanjat (1862 - 1932)
Jacques-Elie-Abraham Hermanjat
1862 - 1932
Ferdinand Staeger (1880 - 1976)
Ferdinand Staeger
1880 - 1976
Jean Delville (1867 - 1953)
Jean Delville
1867 - 1953
Antanas Žmuidzinavičius (1876 - 1966)
Antanas Žmuidzinavičius
1876 - 1966
William Samuel Schwartz (1896 - 1977)
William Samuel Schwartz
1896 - 1977
Maximilian Alexandrovich Voloshin (1877 - 1932)
Maximilian Alexandrovich Voloshin
1877 - 1932
Florence Carlyle (1864 - 1923)
Florence Carlyle
1864 - 1923
Franz von Stuck (1863 - 1928)
Franz von Stuck
1863 - 1928
Werner Gfeller (1895 - 1985)
Werner Gfeller
1895 - 1985
Vasily Ivanovich Denisov (1862 - 1922)
Vasily Ivanovich Denisov
1862 - 1922
Kharlampi Dmitrievich Kostandi (1860 - 1917)
Kharlampi Dmitrievich Kostandi
1860 - 1917
Ferdinand du Puigaudeau (1864 - 1930)
Ferdinand du Puigaudeau
1864 - 1930
Émile Gallé (1846 - 1904)
Émile Gallé
1846 - 1904
Frantisek Cavan (1866 - 1941)
Frantisek Cavan
1866 - 1941
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