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

Nathaniel Dance-Holland (1735 - 1811)
Nathaniel Dance-Holland
1735 - 1811
Sybil Andrews (1898 - 1992)
Sybil Andrews
1898 - 1992
Thomas Sully (1783 - 1872)
Thomas Sully
1783 - 1872
Matthew Darbyshire (1977)
Matthew Darbyshire
1977
Jake Chapman (1966)
Jake Chapman
1966
Louis William Wain (1860 - 1939)
Louis William Wain
1860 - 1939
John Singer Sargent (1856 - 1925)
John Singer Sargent
1856 - 1925
Aaron Lesturgeon ()
Aaron Lesturgeon
Orazio Gentileschi (1563 - 1639)
Orazio Gentileschi
1563 - 1639
Dinos Chapman (1962)
Dinos Chapman
1962
Anton Henning (1964)
Anton Henning
1964
Clare Richardson (1973)
Clare Richardson
1973
John Roddam Spencer Stanhope (1829 - 1908)
John Roddam Spencer Stanhope
1829 - 1908
Forshaw Day (1831 - 1901)
Forshaw Day
1831 - 1901
Mahmoud Sabri (1927 - 2012)
Mahmoud Sabri
1927 - 2012
Bill Culbert (1935 - 2019)
Bill Culbert
1935 - 2019

Creators Symbolism

Maxime Pierre Dethomas (1867 - 1929)
Maxime Pierre Dethomas
1867 - 1929
Emile-Rene Menard (1862 - 1930)
Emile-Rene Menard
1862 - 1930
Vadim Gabrielevich Shershenevich (1893 - 1942)
Vadim Gabrielevich Shershenevich
1893 - 1942
Emily Mae Smith (1979)
Emily Mae Smith
1979
Jean-Baptiste Bertrand (1823 - 1887)
Jean-Baptiste Bertrand
1823 - 1887
Antanas Žmuidzinavičius (1876 - 1966)
Antanas Žmuidzinavičius
1876 - 1966
Edouard Chimot (1880 - 1959)
Edouard Chimot
1880 - 1959
František Bílek (1872 - 1941)
František Bílek
1872 - 1941
Angelo Dall'Oca Bianca (1858 - 1942)
Angelo Dall'Oca Bianca
1858 - 1942
Émile Louis Picault (1833 - 1915)
Émile Louis Picault
1833 - 1915
Oliver Clegg (1980)
Oliver Clegg
1980
Austin Osman Spare (1886 - 1956)
Austin Osman Spare
1886 - 1956
Wilhelm Schmurr (1878 - 1959)
Wilhelm Schmurr
1878 - 1959
Jeanne Mammen (1890 - 1976)
Jeanne Mammen
1890 - 1976
Nikolai Nikolaevich Sapunov (1880 - 1912)
Nikolai Nikolaevich Sapunov
1880 - 1912
Vsevolod Vladimirovich Voinov (1880 - 1945)
Vsevolod Vladimirovich Voinov
1880 - 1945
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