Collection: John William Waterhouse
Born on 6th April 1849 in Rome, John William Waterhouse was the son of two English painters who had moved to Italy to develop their art. The family moved back to England during the late 1850's, and the young Waterhouse worked with his father in his studios, where he developed talents in both sculpting and painting.
Some of his earlier works focused on the themes and scenes of his birthplace, Italy. Later on his works reflected the styles and themes of the Pre-raphaelites such as Alma-Tadema and Frederick Leighton. He went on to paint over 200 paintings depicting classical mythology, particularly Roman mythology, and literary subjects such as the poetry of Keats and Tennyson. A theme commonly found in his works is that of the Femme Fatale. Most of the women he painted were beautiful and elegant, and in many paintings, men were their victims!
Some of his earlier works focused on the themes and scenes of his birthplace, Italy. Later on his works reflected the styles and themes of the Pre-raphaelites such as Alma-Tadema and Frederick Leighton. He went on to paint over 200 paintings depicting classical mythology, particularly Roman mythology, and literary subjects such as the poetry of Keats and Tennyson. A theme commonly found in his works is that of the Femme Fatale. Most of the women he painted were beautiful and elegant, and in many paintings, men were their victims!
