John William Waterhouse of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood Part 1: Contemporary

 John William Waterhouse of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood Part 1: Contemporary

John William Waterhouse (1849-1917) was part of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. They were a group of artists that imitated the style of Raphael (one of the 4 legendary Renaissance artist). Their lot are contemporaries with the impressionist artists. Some of Waterhouse paintings have an impressionist feel about them. Like his pals, Waterhouse had romantic aspirations. Romanticism came about as a response to the Industrial Revolution and the Enlightenment.They where skeptic about the improvements of science. They did not share the naive belief that science would end inequality. They sought to fill a spiritual void created by science. Thus, they looked to inspirations at myths, legends and the medieval times.



In the early days of Waterhouse's career, he focused on myth and on the life of his contemporaries. Later, he hooked up with the Pre-Raphealites and his style changed quite a bit. Ok, now that we know a bit about Waterhouse lets gets this show on the road. I frankly, choose this artist because I like the way he paints. Anyhow, the first one is called "Gathering Summer Flowers in a Devonshire Garden". Its pretty common for artist title works based on the action taking place. It was made roughly 1893-1910. This painting was made as a wedding gift to his sister. The maiden depicted there is said to be Waterhouse's wife.

The style of the painting is impressionism. For those that do not know, impressionism focuses on light. They paint things as they appear to the eye. Thus, the farther away you get the better an impressionist painting looks. The place itself looks a lot like Italy. It makes sense cause Waterhouse spent most of his time in Italy. This painting is similar to Waterhouse early work that feature people doing "whatever".  In any case, this painting deserves 5 star rating.  

The next pretty one is called Gathering Almond Blossoms (1916). Waterhouse has quite the number of paintings showing maidens gathering flowers. The scenery itself takes place also in Italy. Its interesting how the daughter is observing her mother carrying gathering blossoms. The almonds flowers means watchfulness and promise. They appear often in the Old Testament. I guess this time the flowers stand for watchfulness. Both maidens are watchful. Then again, those blossoms do flower early. Perhaps, the lil girl might become a woman real soon. Aside from that, I noticed that artists tend to either get looser or tighter with their brushstrokes at their old age. Its a good way to tell the date of their artworks. Like the previous, this one is among his last works. In any case, Waterhouse impressionist painting deserves 5 star rating.

This one is called "Camellias" (1910). Those are the pretty  red flowers close to the foreground. This flower means desire, passion, and refinement. Well, the rosy cheeks and lips do fit the whole passion and desire meaning of the flower. The refinement can be seen in the combed hair and dress. Its interesting how she is observing us from the corner of her eye. This painting too is of a later period. The brushstrokes are really super loose. In any case, this lovely romantic painting deserves 5 star rating.

The next one is a lovely portrait Esther Kenworthy Waterhouse.  She was the wife of William Waterhouse. Like her husband, she too was a painter. However, she focused on painting flowers. This portrait was painted in 1885, three years after their marriage. Here we see numerous brushstrokes. The section with the most details is the face. Its very unusual to have a portrait whose personage has their eyes in shadows. It sorta reminds me of one of the many self portraits of Rembrandt. Perhaps, Waterhouse wanted to draw attention to Esther's mouth. She is in the process of speaking. Her gaze is fixed on something before her. Her face is very expressive. The brushstrokes are really visible, specially in the background. I think that's everything. In any case, Ms. Waterhouse deserves 5 star rating.

This one is The Unwelcome Companion: A Street Scene in Cairo (1843). She is unwelcome because she is courtesan.  Part of the Romanticism movement, included the interest in exotic places. Here we have an exotic beauty in an exotic place. Her dress is strange and different for a European. If you noticed, she is covered in a shade. It seems as if the prostitute and the viewer are hiding in an alleyway. Because she is away from the public gaze, she does not sport a veil. Her tilted head is typical for those waiting to be kissed (in classical art). Her hand at her hip shows that she is waiting.

I am not certain about that thing she has in her hand. I think this painting was chopped a bit at the bottom. I think her shimmering robes are either Cashmere or satin. Either way, its a very pretty shimmering red robe. Red, the classical color of passion, love, lust... As for the eyes, they have a dead look about them. They are not looking at the viewer, or at anyone. Its that kind of look that means, "Do your worst" or "Lets just get this over with". It really is quite depressing. Specially, because the viewer is the costumer!! Anyhow, 5 stars for the lady.

A Song of Springtime is really quite lovely. You see here a pretty maiden at the blossom of her beauty. Like Persephone, this maiden is gathering flowers. She is using her dress to carry them. Like all depictions of allegories, she has her top exposed. Around her, we see four children. One of them is playing a pipe like the the pagan god, Pandemonium. Pan (for short) usually accompanies nymphs during their flower picking. He is a tipical sight in such pastoral scenes. They are all in the flower of their youth.

The main trees around there are those of almonds. We already saw these trees in an earlier painting. So, they go well with the spring theme. All the characters are at the flower of their youth. The red hair means that she is burning with desire. Plus, its such a rare hair color. Its actually a mutation. People with red hair get higher endorphin (pain killer, pleasure giving hormones) boots than regular folks. I guess that's the reason why red heads have always been said to be great in bed. In any case, this redheaded hottie deserves 5 star rating.

 The next lovely Waterhouse artwork is a sketch called An Eastern Reminiscence (1874). Here we see a bored Chinese lady smoking Opium. Opium was quite popular during those days. Its very interesting her hand at her hip. I guess her visitor (that is us) is boring her. She has drink near her. The rendering of her house, the lil table, and carpet is pretty neat. You get the overall, Impression of how the place looks like. You know, Impressionism lends itself well to sketches. However, as the great Edgard Degas once said, " No is is less spontaneous than me". Meaning, that all this was planned. In any case, lovely sketch of Waterhouse deserves 5 star rating.

 The next portrait shows Miss Margaret Henderson (1900). I think she was a commissioned work. Her figure is emblematic. One cannot tell much from her face. You can tell she is stern because of her hand curled into a knuckle resting at her lap. The closed fan means that she is engaged. She has a pink rose on her dress. Pink roses means gentleness. In the background, we have a bouquet of pink and red flowers. Red rose, we already know its meaning. From these symbols, we can tell a lot about Miss Henderson. Very interesting... In any case, this pretty painting of Waterhouse deserves 5 star rating.

 The next pink cutie is Mrs A.P. Henderson (1909). I guess she is a later portrait of Margaret. I think? Perhaps, she is the new wife of Mr. Henderson. Like the previous maiden, she sports a pink rose. Both do kinda look alike. She seems to have one brown eye and the other blue. Then again, visually with a shadow we might not be able to see blue eyes. In any case, Waterhouse deserves 5 star rating.

The next lovely painting is Portrait of a Young Woman. There are like a billion paintings with that same title.  I am not certain what she is holding in her hand. On her lap, she has an umbrella. This means that she is protective. She is also a gentle pink rose. For a background, she has the shade of a tree. Behind her, we can see a lil mill. Truly, quite the interesting portrait. In any case, Waterhouse gets another 5 stars.

The next painting is called "Resting". Basically, a maid is resting from her laundry work. It is a typical genre scene.  Its interesting the red rose on her hair. Her pose also seems inviting. I guess she is going to be doing other things aside from resting. Its not surprise, maids have been hot since immemorial times. In any case, this lovely painting deserves 5 star rating.

Well, another simple title: The Orange Gatherers (1890). Here we see two women working. Sitting on the mat, one of their daughters is sitting down eating an orange. You can see pieces of the peal over the girl's dress. She too is a worker. You can see her barefoot feet all black. Her mama does not have enough to buy  the lil girl shoes. This genre scene also takes place in Italy. I think that is everything about this painting. 5 stars for Waterhouse. 

Two Little Italian Girls by a Village. Simple enough title. It seems that Italy had a large growth in the Orange industry. This is the second genre painting featuring orange gatherers.  Well, here both girls are talking. Based on their clothing, they must be workers. In any case, this painting of Waterhouse deserves 5 star rating.

The next painting is called Good Neighbors. Here a mother is sewing while her toddler plays with a pillow. One of her dolls is lying by the feet of her Mama. Its cute how one of her lil shoe has fallen. Its really quite the homely painting. We can see the neighbors looming over the brick wall. The women in this painting seem to be enjoying their lil chitchat. Sewing was looked well upon as a leisure activity. Women with busy hand where less likely to sin.To my feminist readers, that whole sewing thing was a moralist Calvinistic belief. Here this woman appears as a moral exemplar. She is taking care of her child and staying out of trouble. In any case, this painting of Waterhouse deserves 5 star rating.

 This cutie is Miss Betty Pollock (1911). I really don't have any information on her. Like other romanticist portraits, Betty is surrounded by creepy nature. She is near a brook in the middle of the forest. The color white is for purity. I think that's everything about this painting. 5 stars for Waterhouse.

Here is another oval shaped painting. She is Mrs. Charles. She has a red flower on her dress. She is so serious. Her black dress is quite lovely and shimmering. Other than that, I do not know... 5 stars for Waterhouse.

This is the painting of Portrait of Miss Claire Kenworthy. I noticed that Waterhouse often has his maiden holding their hands as shown above. This maiden is so pale... I can see why Waterhouse uses red flowers. They tend to add a lil color to the painting. In any case, this painting deserves 5 star rating.

Here is the last painting for now. This cutie is Phyllis. She has the same pose as Miss Claire. Perhaps, she is the daughter of Miss Claire. The lil girl is pretty cute. Behind her, I see a garland of flowers (symbol of youth and spring). I think that is all for now. 5 stars for William Waterhouse. I hope that you like this romanticism art blog. Good day, and goodnight.

 

Description: Portraits made by John William Waterhouse • About: The Genre and life of Waterhouse's contempotaries • Accountable Person: Fernando Blanco • Author: Teresita Blanco • Awards: None • Content Location: poems • Content Rating: 5 • Contributor: Fernando Blanco • Copyright Holder: Teresita Blanco • Copyright Year: 2012 • Creator: Teresita Blanco • Editor: Fernando Blanco • Genre: art blog • Headline: John William Waterhouse of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood Part 1: Contemporary • Keywords: art, children, flower, forest, genre, impressionism, Italy, John William Waterhouse, lady, orient, painting, peasant, portrait, pre-raphaelite, red, Romanticism, Rose, spring,  • Mentions: NA • Provider: Me • Publisher: Phi Stars • Publishing Principles: Teresita Blanco • Source Organization: Phi Stars • Version: 7 • Item Reviewed: Portraits • Review Rating: 5 •