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

Duncan Max Meldrum (1875 - 1955)
Duncan Max Meldrum
1875 - 1955
John Maxwell (1905 - 1962)
John Maxwell
1905 - 1962
Thomas Brock (1847 - 1922)
Thomas Brock
1847 - 1922
Kris Graves (1982)
Kris Graves
1982
Richard Green ()
Richard Green
George Michael Moser (1706 - 1783)
George Michael Moser
1706 - 1783
Henry Borrell (XVIII century - XIX century)
Henry Borrell
XVIII century - XIX century
Rebecca Warren (1965)
Rebecca Warren
1965
Elisa Sighicelli (1968)
Elisa Sighicelli
1968
Mark Bockesch-Parsons (1967)
Mark Bockesch-Parsons
1967
John Emms (1843 - 1912)
John Emms
1843 - 1912
Frank McKelvey (1895 - 1974)
Frank McKelvey
1895 - 1974
Matthew Cotes Wyatt (1777 - 1862)
Matthew Cotes Wyatt
1777 - 1862
Bryan Charnley (1949 - 1991)
Bryan Charnley
1949 - 1991
Anne Seymour Damer (1748 - 1828)
Anne Seymour Damer
1748 - 1828
John William Buxton Knight (1843 - 1908)
John William Buxton Knight
1843 - 1908

Creators Symbolism

William Butler Yeats (1865 - 1939)
William Butler Yeats
1865 - 1939
Carl von Marr (1858 - 1936)
Carl von Marr
1858 - 1936
Elling Reitan (1949)
Elling Reitan
1949
Johan (Jan) Thorn Prikker (1868 - 1932)
Johan (Jan) Thorn Prikker
1868 - 1932
Max Walter Svanberg (1912 - 1994)
Max Walter Svanberg
1912 - 1994
Nikolai Pavlovich Ryabushinsky (1877 - 1950)
Nikolai Pavlovich Ryabushinsky
1877 - 1950
Abel Pann (1883 - 1963)
Abel Pann
1883 - 1963
Joris-Karl Huysmans (1848 - 1907)
Joris-Karl Huysmans
1848 - 1907
Vivian Forbes (1891 - 1937)
Vivian Forbes
1891 - 1937
Jacques Prevert (1900 - 1977)
Jacques Prevert
1900 - 1977
Vitold Prushkovsky (1846 - 1896)
Vitold Prushkovsky
1846 - 1896
Ludwig von Löfftz (1845 - 1910)
Ludwig von Löfftz
1845 - 1910
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834 - 1903)
James Abbott McNeill Whistler
1834 - 1903
Mario Raciti (1939)
Mario Raciti
1939
Ernest Joseph Laurent (1859 - 1929)
Ernest Joseph Laurent
1859 - 1929
Louis Welden Hawkins (1849 - 1910)
Louis Welden Hawkins
1849 - 1910
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