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

Yoko Ono Lennon (1933)
Yoko Ono Lennon
1933
Frederick Hollyer (1838 - 1933)
Frederick Hollyer
1838 - 1933
Henry Thomas Alken (1785 - 1851)
Henry Thomas Alken
1785 - 1851
Iain Baxter (1936)
Iain Baxter
1936
Charles Frederick Kandler ()
Charles Frederick Kandler
Joseph (Joe) Plaskett (1918 - 2014)
Joseph (Joe) Plaskett
1918 - 2014
William Joseph Shayer (1811 - 1892)
William Joseph Shayer
1811 - 1892
Edward John Poynter (1836 - 1919)
Edward John Poynter
1836 - 1919
John Emes (1762 - 1810)
John Emes
1762 - 1810
Mark Bockesch-Parsons (1967)
Mark Bockesch-Parsons
1967
Ian Davenport (1966)
Ian Davenport
1966
Arthur Derek Hill (1916 - 2000)
Arthur Derek Hill
1916 - 2000
Eileen Hogan (1946)
Eileen Hogan
1946
William Powell Frith (1819 - 1909)
William Powell Frith
1819 - 1909
Robert William Buss (1804 - 1875)
Robert William Buss
1804 - 1875
Kim Brooks (1936)
Kim Brooks
1936

Creators Symbolism

Dmitri Plavinsky (1937 - 2012)
Dmitri Plavinsky
1937 - 2012
Arnold Böcklin (1827 - 1901)
Arnold Böcklin
1827 - 1901
Vitold Prushkovsky (1846 - 1896)
Vitold Prushkovsky
1846 - 1896
Romaine Brooks (1874 - 1970)
Romaine Brooks
1874 - 1970
Giorgio Kienerk (1869 - 1948)
Giorgio Kienerk
1869 - 1948
Paul Thumann (1834 - 1908)
Paul Thumann
1834 - 1908
Miriam Vlaming (1971)
Miriam Vlaming
1971
William Butler Yeats (1865 - 1939)
William Butler Yeats
1865 - 1939
Mai Volfovich Dantsig (1930 - 2017)
Mai Volfovich Dantsig
1930 - 2017
Ivar Axel Arosenius (1878 - 1909)
Ivar Axel Arosenius
1878 - 1909
Oliver Clegg (1980)
Oliver Clegg
1980
Karin Götz (1938)
Karin Götz
1938
Philippe Robert (1881 - 1930)
Philippe Robert
1881 - 1930
Egon Schiele (1890 - 1918)
Egon Schiele
1890 - 1918
John White Alexander (1856 - 1915)
John White Alexander
1856 - 1915
Johann Friedrich Overbeck (1789 - 1869)
Johann Friedrich Overbeck
1789 - 1869
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