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The Beautiful Art of John William Waterhouse

Born in Italy to English parents, both of whom were painters, John William Waterhouse (1849-1917) is best known for his classical style of art. His early works predominantly focused on traditional themes in the spirit of Alma-Tadema (a Dutch painter), and Frederic Leighton (an English painter and sculptor). Later works reveal Waterhouse's growing interest in themes associated with the Pre-Raphaelites - a group of English painters, poets, and critics who rejected the classical poses and elegant compositions of Raphael, in particular.
 
 
Very little is known about Waterhouse's private life as only few letters have survived. Likewise, not much is known about his models, though the renowned Italian-model, Angelo Colorossi, who sat for a number of famous painters at the time, also sat for Waterhouse. In the last decade of his life, Waterhouse suffered from increasing frailty, yet, despite this, he continued to paint until his death from cancer in 1917. Take a look at some of his detailed work:
 
Click on images to enlarge
 
Undine, 1872
John William Waterhouse
Gone, But Not Forgotten, 1873
John William Waterhouse
Miranda, 1875
John William Waterhouse
Dolce far Niente, 1880
John William Waterhouse
The Favorites of the Emperor Honorius, 1883
John William Waterhouse
Magic Circle, 1886
John William Waterhouse
The Lady of Shalott, 1888
John William Waterhouse
 
Ophelia, 1889
John William Waterhouse
Ulysses and the Sirens, 1891
John William Waterhouse
La Belle Dame sancs Merci, 1893
John William Waterhouse
Hylas and the Nymphs, 1896
John William Waterhouse
The Mermaid, 1901
John William Waterhouse
The Crystal Ball, 1902
John William Waterhouse
Echo and Narcissus, 1903
John William Waterhouse
Lamia, 1905
John William Waterhouse
Jason and Medea, 1907
John William Waterhouse
Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May, 1909
John William Waterhouse
Ophelia, 1910
John William Waterhouse
The Annunciation, 1914
John William Waterhouse
Miranda, The Tempest, 1916
John William Waterhouse
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