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

James Lawton Wingate (1846 - 1924)
James Lawton Wingate
1846 - 1924
Anthony van Dyck (1599 - 1641)
Anthony van Dyck
1599 - 1641
William Pearson (1772 - 1849)
William Pearson
1772 - 1849
John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836 - 1893)
John Atkinson Grimshaw
1836 - 1893
Jan Siberechts (1627 - 1700)
Jan Siberechts
1627 - 1700
Bryan Organ (1935)
Bryan Organ
1935
Marcus Gerards II (1561 - 1636)
Marcus Gerards II
1561 - 1636
Gary Bunt (1957)
Gary Bunt
1957
Leopold Henry Radclyffe ()
Leopold Henry Radclyffe
John Ward (1938 - 2023)
John Ward
1938 - 2023
Robert Orgill Leman (1799 - 1869)
Robert Orgill Leman
1799 - 1869
Jenny Saville (1970)
Jenny Saville
1970
Alfred Aaron Wolmark (1877 - 1961)
Alfred Aaron Wolmark
1877 - 1961
John Francis Rigaud (1742 - 1810)
John Francis Rigaud
1742 - 1810
James Princip Beadle (1863 - 1947)
James Princip Beadle
1863 - 1947
Phoebe Anna Traquair (1852 - 1936)
Phoebe Anna Traquair
1852 - 1936

Creators Symbolism

Karin Götz (1938)
Karin Götz
1938
Joseph Edward Southall (1861 - 1944)
Joseph Edward Southall
1861 - 1944
Mikhail Vasilyevich Nesterov (1862 - 1942)
Mikhail Vasilyevich Nesterov
1862 - 1942
Carl Strathmann (1866 - 1939)
Carl Strathmann
1866 - 1939
Otto Greiner (1869 - 1916)
Otto Greiner
1869 - 1916
Dmitri Plavinsky (1937 - 2012)
Dmitri Plavinsky
1937 - 2012
Leonardo Bistolfi (1859 - 1933)
Leonardo Bistolfi
1859 - 1933
Julio Ruelas (1870 - 1907)
Julio Ruelas
1870 - 1907
Maximilian Alexandrovich Voloshin (1877 - 1932)
Maximilian Alexandrovich Voloshin
1877 - 1932
Gyorgy Stefula (1913 - 1999)
Gyorgy Stefula
1913 - 1999
Valentine Walter Bromley (1848 - 1877)
Valentine Walter Bromley
1848 - 1877
Jeanne Mammen (1890 - 1976)
Jeanne Mammen
1890 - 1976
Frantisek Cavan (1866 - 1941)
Frantisek Cavan
1866 - 1941
Henry Meynell Rheam (1859 - 1920)
Henry Meynell Rheam
1859 - 1920
Ken Currie (1960)
Ken Currie
1960
Norbert Tadeusz (1940 - 2011)
Norbert Tadeusz
1940 - 2011