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John William Waterhouse
(Apr. 6, 1849 Lazio, Italy - Feb. 10, 1917 London) English Oil Painting Artist Biography.
John William Waterhouse, affectionately known as Nino in his younger days, was born in Rome. Both of his parents were English oil painters who moved to Italy in pursuit of art. Waterhouse and his parents eventually moved back to England some time in the late 1850's. While growing up, Waterhouse studied only under his father until he entered the Royal Academy in 1870. His first attempts to gain admission were rejected, but he finally did gain admittance in the school of sculpture under the sponsorship of Pickersgill, a painter himself, encouraging young Waterhouse to return his attention to oil painting. Waterhouse was also greatly influenced by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema and Frederick Leighton whose love of classical backgrounds and Roman history and legends greatly appealed to him. Early in his career Waterhouse established his style. It changed little, but he continually refined it and his beautiful ladies were recognizable flesh and blood, with superb skin tones. He also painted a few excellent portraits of women. In 1885, Waterhouse became an Associate of the Royal Academy and then a full member Royal Academician in 1895.
Waterhouse went on to paint well over 200 oil paintings depicting classical Roman mythology, historical and literary subjects, particularly those English poets such as Keats and Tennyson. Femme fatale is a common theme in his works, as most are of beautiful women and of many men who are their victims. Little is known about his personal life today, considering he died in 1917 and was an active Royal Academy. What is known indicates he was a retiring, shy man, he left no diaries or journals and quite deliberately covered his tracks. In 1883 he married but had no children. Around 1900 Waterhouse and his wife moved to St John’s Wood, evidence of both increasing prosperity and the need to be part of the artistic community.
Waterhouse is one of the rare artists who became popular and relatively well-off financially when he was alive. He continued to paint until his death (he died of cancer) as evidenced by the two very late oil paintings bought by Lord Leverhume, still on show at the Lady Lever Gallery to this day. His style became a major influence on many of the later Pre-Raphaelites.
His work includes such classic anthology pieces as The Lady of Shalott (1888, Tate Gallery, London) and Hylas and the Nymphs (1896, City Art Gallery, Manchester) and Echo and Narcissus (1912, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool). It represents Narcissus who was punished by falling in love with his own reflection. He was trapped by the beauty of his own reflection and died. Yellow narcissus flowers grew there in memory and these are included in the oil painting. Waterhouse appealed greatly to the masses and his academic and technical skill commanded the respect of his both his peers and critics. He was regarded so highly by his peers that The Enchanted Garden was exhibited posthumously at the Academy even though it was never finished.
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