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

Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830 - 1894)
Christina Georgina Rossetti
1830 - 1894
Barrie Cooke (1931 - 2014)
Barrie Cooke
1931 - 2014
John Trickett (1953)
John Trickett
1953
Nathaniel Hill (1861 - 1934)
Nathaniel Hill
1861 - 1934
Edward Theodore Compton (1849 - 1921)
Edward Theodore Compton
1849 - 1921
Keith Milow (1945)
Keith Milow
1945
Alfred Banner (1878 - 1915)
Alfred Banner
1878 - 1915
Hughie O'Donoghue (1953)
Hughie O'Donoghue
1953
Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait (1819 - 1905)
Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait
1819 - 1905
William Callow (1812 - 1908)
William Callow
1812 - 1908
Lenton Parr (1924 - 2003)
Lenton Parr
1924 - 2003
Po Shun Leong (1941)
Po Shun Leong
1941
George R. Chapman (1834 - ?)
George R. Chapman
1834 - ?
Cornelius Bland (XVIII century - XVIII century)
Cornelius Bland
XVIII century - XVIII century
Oscar Murillo (1986)
Oscar Murillo
1986
William Evans (1809 - 1858)
William Evans
1809 - 1858

Creators Symbolism

Elisabeth Sonrel (1874 - 1953)
Elisabeth Sonrel
1874 - 1953
Otto Friedrich Meyer-Amden (1885 - 1933)
Otto Friedrich Meyer-Amden
1885 - 1933
András Beck (1911 - 1985)
András Beck
1911 - 1985
Emmi Walther (1860 - 1936)
Emmi Walther
1860 - 1936
Gregoire Michonze (1902 - 1982)
Gregoire Michonze
1902 - 1982
John William Cheever (1912 - 1982)
John William Cheever
1912 - 1982
Édouard Vuillard (1868 - 1940)
Édouard Vuillard
1868 - 1940
Gaines Ruger Donoho (1857 - 1916)
Gaines Ruger Donoho
1857 - 1916
Peter Francis Bourgeois (1753 - 1811)
Peter Francis Bourgeois
1753 - 1811
Jiri Anderle (1936)
Jiri Anderle
1936
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834 - 1903)
James Abbott McNeill Whistler
1834 - 1903
Heinz Schrand (1926 - 2017)
Heinz Schrand
1926 - 2017
Charles Ricketts (1866 - 1931)
Charles Ricketts
1866 - 1931
Leonardo Bistolfi (1859 - 1933)
Leonardo Bistolfi
1859 - 1933
Oskar Zwintscher (1870 - 1916)
Oskar Zwintscher
1870 - 1916
Jean Delville (1867 - 1953)
Jean Delville
1867 - 1953
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