United Kingdom Symbolism
William Blake was an English poet, painter, and printmaker. Largely unrecognised during his life, Blake is now considered a seminal figure in the history of the poetry and visual art of the Romantic Age. What he called his "prophetic works" were said by 20th-century critic Northrop Frye to form "what is in proportion to its merits the least read body of poetry in the English language". His visual artistry led 21st-century critic Jonathan Jones to proclaim him "far and away the greatest artist Britain has ever produced". In 2002, Blake was placed at number 38 in the BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons. While he lived in London his entire life, except for three years spent in Felpham, he produced a diverse and symbolically rich collection of works, which embraced the imagination as "the body of God" or "human existence itself".
John Singleton Copley was an Anglo-American painter, active in both colonial America and England. He was probably born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Richard and Mary Singleton Copley, both Anglo-Irish. After becoming well-established as a portrait painter of the wealthy in colonial New England, he moved to London in 1774, never returning to America. In London, he met considerable success as a portraitist for the next two decades, and also painted a number of large history paintings, which were innovative in their readiness to depict modern subjects and modern dress. His later years were less successful, and he died heavily in debt.
Walter Crane was an English artist and book illustrator. He is considered to be the most influential, and among the most prolific, children's book creators of his generation and, along with Randolph Caldecott and Kate Greenaway, one of the strongest contributors to the child's nursery motif that the genre of English children's illustrated literature would exhibit in its developmental stages in the later 19th century.
Crane's work featured some of the more colourful and detailed beginnings of the child-in-the-garden motifs that would characterize many nursery rhymes and children's stories for decades to come. He was part of the Arts and Crafts movement and produced an array of paintings, illustrations, children's books, ceramic tiles, wallpapers and other decorative arts. Crane is also remembered for his creation of a number of iconic images associated with the international Socialist movement.
Ken Currie is a Scottish artist and a graduate of Glasgow School of Art (1978-1983). Ken grew up in industrial Glasgow. This has had a significant influence on his early works. In the 1980s Currie produced a series of works that romanticised Red Clydeside depicting heroic Dockworkers, Shop-stewards and urban areas along the River Clyde.
Edward Morgan Forster, English novelist, essayist, and critic, was a prominent literary figure of the early twentieth century. Born on 1 January 1879 in London and died on 7 June 1970 in Coventry, Forster's work was celebrated for its profound critique of social conventions, class distinctions and hypocrisy in British society. A member of the influential Bloomsbury group, Forster did not confine himself to novels, but also wrote essays, gave speeches and hosted programmes.
E. M. Forster was characterised by wit and a fine sense of irony. His novels, particularly A Room with a View, Howards End and A Passage to India, were recognised for their well-crafted plots and insightful social commentary. Not only have these works earned them a place in literature, but they have also been nominated for the Nobel Prize for Literature. The films A Room with a View and Howards End won Academy Awards and have been recognised and celebrated in film archives and retrospectives by film institutions.
Edward Morgan Forster's novels serve as critical social commentary of their time and remain relevant to this day. Those interested in the intersection of literary art and its influence on film can look to first editions of his works or objects associated with acclaimed film adaptations to add to their collections.
Henry Fuseli (German: Johann Heinrich Füssli) was a Swiss painter, draughtsman and writer on art who spent much of his life in Britain. Many of his works, such as The Nightmare, deal with supernatural subject matter. He painted works for John Boydell's Shakespeare Gallery, and created his own "Milton Gallery". He held the posts of Professor of Painting and Keeper at the Royal Academy. His style had a considerable influence on many younger British artists, including William Blake.
John Atkinson Grimshaw was an English Victorian-era artist best known for his nocturnal scenes of urban landscapes. He was called a «remarkable and imaginative painter» by the critic and historian Christopher Wood in Victorian Painting (1999).
Grimshaw's love for realism stemmed from a passion for photography, which would eventually lend itself to the creative process. Though entirely self-taught, he is known to have used a camera obscura or lenses to project scenes onto canvas, which made up for his shortcomings as a draughtsman and his imperfect knowledge of perspective. This technique, which Caravaggio and Vermeer may also have used, was condemned by a number of his contemporaries who believed it demonstrated less skill than painting by eye, with some claiming that his paintings appeared to «show no marks of handling or brushwork», while others "were doubtful whether they could be accepted as paintings at all". However, many recognised his mastery of colour, lighting and shadow, as well as his unique ability to provoke strong emotional responses in the viewer. James McNeill Whistler, who Grimshaw worked with in his Chelsea studios, stated, «I considered myself the inventor of nocturnes until I saw Grimmy's moonlit pictures».
William Holman Hunt was an English painter and one of the founders of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. His paintings were notable for their great attention to detail, vivid colour, and elaborate symbolism. These features were influenced by the writings of John Ruskin and Thomas Carlyle, according to whom the world itself should be read as a system of visual signs. For Hunt it was the duty of the artist to reveal the correspondence between sign and fact. Of all the members of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, Hunt remained most true to their ideals throughout his career. He was always keen to maximise the popular appeal and public visibility of his works.
Matthias Maris was a Dutch painter, etcher and lithographer. He initially belonged to the Hague School, like his two brothers, Jacob and Willem, but his later works deviated more and more from that school into a unique style influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites. Most of the paintings by M. Maris are in museums and private collections in Great Britain and the USA. A great admirer of the artist's talent was Vincent van Gogh.
James Abbott McNeill Whistler was an American painter and printmaker, renowned for his role in the Aesthetic Movement and his advocacy of "art for art's sake." Born on July 11, 1834, in Lowell, Massachusetts, Whistler spent significant parts of his career in London and Paris, integrating modern French painting styles into his work.
Whistler's works often depicted nocturnal scenes of London and stylistically advanced portraits. His famous painting, Arrangement in Grey and Black No. 1, commonly known as Whistler's Mother, is a prime example of his skilled use of color and form to evoke emotion and atmosphere. This painting became iconic, influencing both peers and the wider culture, akin to works like Munch's The Scream.
Another notable work, Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket, stirred controversy and legal disputes due to its abstract quality, challenging conventional notions of art at the time. Whistler's influence extended beyond paintings, impacting interior design, furniture, and the overall aesthetic of visual arts through his detailed attention to harmony and composition.
For more detailed insights into James McNeill Whistler's life and work, you can visit comprehensive resources such as the Encyclopaedia Britannica or the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History.
If you're intrigued by the innovative techniques and enduring influence of James Abbott McNeill Whistler, consider subscribing to our updates. Stay informed about new sales, exhibitions, and auction events related to Whistler's works. Dive deeper into the world of art and discover pieces that celebrate the spirit of Aestheticism and artistic independence. Sign up today to enhance your collection and knowledge of one of the most visionary artists of the 19th century.
Edward John Poynter was a prominent British painter, known for his historical and mythological artworks that resonate with art collectors and experts. Born in Paris and educated in Britain, Poynter's career flourished with his detailed and evocative paintings, like "Israel in Egypt" and "The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon," which reflect his profound historical knowledge and artistic skill. These works are celebrated for their intricate detail and vibrant storytelling, captivating viewers and holding significant positions in galleries and Masonic lodges globally.
Edward John Poynter's dedication to art education was evident through his roles as the Slade Professor at University College London and the principal of the National Art Training School. His contribution extended to administrative roles, notably as the Director of the National Gallery, where he played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Tate Gallery. His legacy in the art world is also marked by his presidency at the Royal Academy, demonstrating his influence and standing in the British art scene.
For those intrigued by Edward John Poynter's mastery and the historical depth of his work, his contributions to art literature, such as "Ten Lectures on Art," offer further insight into his artistic philosophy and approach. These works underscore his commitment to integrating art and archaeology, providing a richer understanding of his creative process and the era he depicted.
For art collectors and enthusiasts interested in Poynter's work and related auction events, staying updated through a subscription service can be invaluable. This ensures you receive timely information on sales and exhibitions featuring Edward John Poynter's art, allowing you to engage deeply with his historical and artistic legacy.
Charles de Sousy Ricketts was a British artist, illustrator, author and printer, known for his work as a book designer and typographer and for his costume and scenery designs for plays and operas.
Ricketts was born in Geneva to an English father and a French mother and brought up mainly in France. In 1882 he began studying wood engraving in London, where he met a fellow student, Charles Shannon, who became his lifelong companion and artistic collaborator. Ricketts first made his mark in book production, first as an illustrator, and then as the founder and driving force of the Vale Press (1896–1904), one of the leading private presses of the day, for which he designed the type and illustrations. A disastrous fire at the printers led to the closure of the press, and Ricketts turned increasingly to painting and sculpture over the following two decades.
Frederick Cayley Robinson was an English artist, creating paintings and applied art including book illustrations and theatre set designs. Along with a number of other British artists, Cayley Robinson continued to paint striking Pre-Raphaelite and Victorian subjects well into the twentieth century despite this approach becoming deeply unfashionable. His work has been examined in a PhD thesis by Alice Eden and an exhibition Modern Pre-Raphaelite Visionaries at Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum.
Simeon Solomon was a British painter associated with the Pre-Raphaelites who was noted for his depictions of Jewish life and same-sex desire. His career was cut short as a result of public scandal following his arrests and convictions for attempted sodomy in 1873 and 1874.
Joseph Edward Southall was a British painter and leader of the Birmingham Group of Craftsmen Artists.
At the age of 21, while traveling in France and Italy, Southall was fascinated by Italian Renaissance painters. He later created many large tempera paintings, mostly of mythological and religious subjects, which were exhibited throughout Europe as well as in the United States. The artist also painted landscapes and many portraits in watercolor and oil.
With the outbreak of World War I, Southall became more involved in the anti-war struggle, writing pamphlets and drawing cartoons for books and magazines. Along with other members of the Birmingham Group, Southall also practiced various crafts including murals, furniture decoration, lace, book illustration and prints.
Henry John Stock was a British Pre-Raphaelite painter and representative of the English Romantic tradition.
Henry was nearly blind as a child, but gained his sight when he went to live at Beaulieu in the New Forest. Fully recovered, he attended St. Martin's School of Art and the Royal Academy schools. And apparently the trials of his childhood played a role in the artist's outlook. Stock enjoyed success as a secular portraitist, but his main area of interest has always been fantasy, religious and mythological subjects.
Renée Vivien, born Pauline Mary Tarn, was a British poet associated with the Symbolist movement in French literature. Known for her passionate and sensual poetry, which often deals with themes of love, desire and the pursuit of beauty. Many of her poems are autobiographical, centred on Baudelairean themes of extreme romanticism and frequent despair.
Renee Vivien's work often raised themes of female desire, same-sex love, and the pursuit of unattainable beauty. Her poetry was characterised by rich imagery, musicality and emotional intensity. In addition to poetry, Vivien wrote several novels. She was also active in Parisian literary life.
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.
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