Wednesday, August 13, 2008

John William Waterhouse

At the request of a friend, I am doing a post about one of my all-time favorite artists, John William Waterhouse. Waterhouse (a British artist who painted around the turn of the century), was best known for his portraits of literary women, such as Tennyson's The Lady of Shalott and Shakespeare's Ophelia. In my opinion, no one can paint the female form like John Waterhouse! I also love that his primary female subjects are from literature, poetry, Shakespeare, mythology, Arthurian Legend, and historical figures (ie: Cleopatra).I personally have two of his prints displayed in my home. One, La Belle Dame Sans Merci hangs in my bathroom and depicts a knight bending over to kiss a woman who has her hair lovingly wrapped around his neck. The other, is titled, Psyche Entering Cupid's Garden from the Greek mythological short story about Eros the God of Love, and hangs in my guest bedroom.Waterhouse draws his women beautiful, voluptuous, earthy, sometimes tragic, and always ethereal. I love that most of them are displayed either out of doors in a garden or near the ocean or water. Most of his prints can be found on-line at Art.com or his website www.jwwaterhouse.com. Happy viewing! The art from top to bottom: The Lady of Shalott (probably his most recognized painting), La Belle Dame Sans Merci, Psyche Entering Cupid's Garden, Mermaid, and The Shrine.

9 comments:

Ann Marie said...

Now that you have introduced me to these, I want one sooo bad!

Where in the world did you buy your prints? Online?

I promise, for sure I will own one of these gems. My most favorites are with the women with roses.. :)

Thanks for the post! I'll have to show my Mom..

NutMeg said...

Ann-I bought "Psyche" at Print's Plus in the mall (and had it framed there too) with my Christmas bonus one year. "Belle" I purchased on-line (it was actually from a calendar of Waterhouse prints). I just cut it out and put it in a frame. I think I paid $1.75 plus shipping for it? I'm glad I was able to introduce you to some of my favorite art!

Cristy said...

I agree - his paintings are beautiful as well as interesting! Do you enjoy John Millais or Edmund Leighton?

This is a little off of the subject, but I am wondering if you have been to the "Monet to Picasso" exhibit at the Utah Museum of Fine Art? I haven't and I am interested in hearing what people think of it. :-)

Ann Marie said...

You need to check out Suzanne's blog about some books she's just read.. You'll have to let me know if you've read any of them..

Suzanne said...

Thanks Megan for the comments, I will read Ordinary Princess after I finish Princess Academy and I promised my friend that I will read "These is my words." By chance have you read that one? I actually am a member Goodreads, but I only know 1 person, well now 2 who would care about my comments. At least here on the blog, my friends and family know what I am reading and I can suggest books to them. It has been a while since I was on Goodreads. I found the princess picture I was telling you about, but not sure where to post it. I guess I will just do a post and I am curious if you have seen it before or know the artist. I really love it! Please let me know if you do! Thanks for your comments! -Suzanne

Mel said...

I love these paintings! You are right that the woman looks true to his paintings!!

I loved your breaking dawn review, I didn't comment because I was still reading. I want her to do another book :)

JENNIFRO said...

Oh wow...I love him to. I actually commissioned an oil painting of The Enchanted Garden (one he left unfinished at his death) and put it over my mantle. It's another really beautiful one that i love. I think The Lady of Shalott will always be my favorite though--it's so dreamy and the poem so beautiful and haunting. I loved this post. He is an amazing painter and for me truly captures romanticism.

Adele said...

Do you remember that the Lady of Shallot used to hang in our Markay 6 flat? He was an amazing painter. He always reminds me of painters from the pre-Raphelite era, but isn't he post them?

Marie said...

Though not my favorite artist, he certainly is able to evoke a romantic ideal from each of the stories that he portrays and they are beautiful women.