The Art and Life of John William Waterhouse

The Crystal Ball

John William Waterhouse was born in Italy in 1849 and moved to England with his parents. His father was also painter. John was encouraged by his parents to paint. He attended and became a member of the Royal Academy of Art. He was in the pre Raphaelite group of painters. He liked to hang out with the likes of Arthur Rackam and several poets. He painted at the Primrose Studios. He married Esther Kenworthy. They had no children and kept their private life - private. Consequently very little is known about him.

John was enthralled with female fatales such as Cleopatra, Ophelia, Circe, mermaids and nymphs. He started a series of paintings of Ophelia but died in 1916 before they were finished. [Andrew Webber Lloyd owns one of his Ophelia paintings.] Because he enjoyed his privacy his models are not known. However he did do several portraits of friends and through word of mouth enough work to sustain him. Most of his time was spent painting the women he loved. I love is paintings. If you live in England there is a big exhibit this year of his paintings at the Waterhouse Museum. I believe 90 of his works will be available for viewing till 2010.

Ophelia

Windswept