John William Waterhouse

Both pictures depict Ophelia, a character Waterhouse tried to capture in various paintings. In Shakespeare's Hamlet, Ophelia is a pretty woman of weak character, who is influenced by her Father and others to abandon Hamlet who truly loves her. Being torn between her loyalty to her Father, brother, and family, she rejects Hamlet but finds no solace and peace in her own decision, a conflict that eventually costs her sanity.

The first painting is from 1905, Oil on canvas, Julian Hartnoll Collection. Actual Size (W x H): 61cm x 102cm = 24.03" x 40.19"



The second painting (Ophelia sitting)

As a young boy, Waterhouse helped his father in the Art studio and made his first wing trials with sculptures as well as painting. He gained entry to the Royal Academy in 1870, after many failed attempts. Just 15 years later, in 1885, he was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy, and became a full member in 1895.

Although sometimes referred to as a Pre-Raphaelite painter, Waterhouse was a Neo-Classic painter. His early works included many Italian themes, an openly admitted affection for the country he was born in. In his later career the typical themes of Pre-Raphaelite masters appeared in his works, those often depicted by other Pre-Raphaelite masters like Alma-Tadema and Sir Frederick Leighton. Altogehter, he painted more than 200 paintings. His favorite topics were figures from the classical Greek mythogolgy, Roman mythology, and heroes and heroines of classic English poets such as Keats, Tennyson, Lord Byron and Shakespeare.

Waterhouse is one of the few artists who enjoyed fame and financial security during his lifetime. His work and legacy impacted some other Pre-Raphaelites, among these Frank Dicksee.

Not all of Waterhouse's Art pieces are found in public collections, some have been purchased by private Art collectors. However, the majority of his paintings remains in gallery ownership in England. Among these is "The Lady of Shalott" - 1888, which can be found in the Tate Gallery in London; "Hylas and the Nymphs" - 1896, at Manchester City Art Gallery, and "Echo and Narcissus" - date unknown, at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. Some of his works found outside of Great Britain are: La Belle Dame Sans Merci (Germany); Penelope and the Suitors (Scotland); and Circe Invidiosa (Australia).

Below: The Lady of Shalott on Boat. (1888) Oil on canvas
Tate Gallery, London, England
Actual Size (W x H): 200cm x 153cm = 78.80" x 60.28"

Oil on canvas. Private Collection
Actual Size (W x H): 127cm x 76.2cm = 50.04" x 30.02"

Oil on canvas. Oldham Art Gallery, Oldham, England
Actual Size (W x H): 92cm x 149cm = 36.25" x 58.71"

Oil on canvas. Private Collection
Actual Size (W x H): 72cm x 96.5cm = 28.37" x 38.02"

Oil on canvas. Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, Canada
Actual Size (W x H): 74cm x 100cm = 29.16" x 39.40"

Unknown Location

Oil on canvas. Private Collection
Actual Size (W x H): 74cm x 117cm = 29.16" x 46.10"

Oil on canvas. Private Collection
Actual Size (W x H): 88cm x 121cm = 34.67" x 47.67"

Oil on canvas. Peter Nahum Collection
Actual Size (W x H): 109cm x 74cm = 42.95" x 29.16"

Oil on canvas. Private Collection.
Actual Size (W x H): 58.5cm x 96.5cm = 23.05" x 38.02"

Oil on canvas. Leeds City Art Gallery - Leeds, England
Actual Size (W x H): 86cm x 142cm = 33.88" x 55.95"

Oil on canvas. Walker Art Gallery - Liverpool, England
Actual Size (W x H): 189cm x 109cm = 74.47" x 42.95"

In Greek mythology, the unhappy nymph Echo was condemned to repeat the last words spoken to her. She fell in love with the beautiful youth Narcissus. He rejected her and was punished by falling in love with his own reflection. He was trapped by the sight of his own beauty and died. Yellow narcissus flowers grew where he died and Waterhouse has included these in the painting.

Oil on canvas. Lady Lever Art Gallery, Wirral, England
Actual Size (W x H): 159cm x 102cm = 62.65" x 40.19"

Oil on canvas. Towneley Hall Art Gallery and Museums - Burnley, England. Actual Size (W x H): 49.5cm x 59cm = 19.50" x 23.25"

Oil on canvas. Oil on canvas. Private Collection
Actual Size (W x H): 151cm x 91cm = 59.49" x 35.85"

John William Waterhouse made wonderful scetches (drawings) of the characters he depicted in his later paintings. Some of these are masterpieces of Art in their own right.

Red chalk. Private Collection