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

Jan Looten (1618 - 1681)
Jan Looten
1618 - 1681
William Nicholson (1872 - 1949)
William Nicholson
1872 - 1949
James Guild (1797 - 1841)
James Guild
1797 - 1841
Ernest William Christmas (1863 - 1918)
Ernest William Christmas
1863 - 1918
Edward Theodore Compton (1849 - 1921)
Edward Theodore Compton
1849 - 1921
Henry Raeburn (1756 - 1823)
Henry Raeburn
1756 - 1823
John Singleton Copley (1738 - 1815)
John Singleton Copley
1738 - 1815
Marianne Eigenheer (1945 - 2018)
Marianne Eigenheer
1945 - 2018
Kenneth Martin (1905 - 1984)
Kenneth Martin
1905 - 1984
William Green (1760 - 1823)
William Green
1760 - 1823
Boris Ivanovich Pastoukhoff (1894 - 1974)
Boris Ivanovich Pastoukhoff
1894 - 1974
Robert Orgill Leman (1799 - 1869)
Robert Orgill Leman
1799 - 1869
John Cleveley (1747 - 1786)
John Cleveley
1747 - 1786
Charles Lock Eastlake (1793 - 1865)
Charles Lock Eastlake
1793 - 1865
Adrian Heath (1920 - 1992)
Adrian Heath
1920 - 1992
John Wollaston (1710 - 1775)
John Wollaston
1710 - 1775

Creators Symbolism

Elena Aleksandrovna Shchetinkina (1950)
Elena Aleksandrovna Shchetinkina
1950
Jen Ray (1970)
Jen Ray
1970
Louis Welden Hawkins (1849 - 1910)
Louis Welden Hawkins
1849 - 1910
Alfredo Castañeda (1938 - 2010)
Alfredo Castañeda
1938 - 2010
Ernst Abraham Josephson (1851 - 1906)
Ernst Abraham Josephson
1851 - 1906
Edvard Munch (1863 - 1944)
Edvard Munch
1863 - 1944
Oskar Zwintscher (1870 - 1916)
Oskar Zwintscher
1870 - 1916
Jacques-Elie-Abraham Hermanjat (1862 - 1932)
Jacques-Elie-Abraham Hermanjat
1862 - 1932
Louise Catherine Breslau (1856 - 1927)
Louise Catherine Breslau
1856 - 1927
Niko Abramidis (1987)
Niko Abramidis
1987
Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst (1868 - 1938)
Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst
1868 - 1938
Mikhail Vasilyevich Nesterov (1862 - 1942)
Mikhail Vasilyevich Nesterov
1862 - 1942
Anselm Feuerbach (1829 - 1880)
Anselm Feuerbach
1829 - 1880
Georges Lacombe (1868 - 1916)
Georges Lacombe
1868 - 1916
Stepan Petrovich Yaremich (1869 - 1939)
Stepan Petrovich Yaremich
1869 - 1939
Stefan à Wengen (1964)
Stefan à Wengen
1964
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