John William Waterhouse is a British painter of the Pre-Raphaelite order. This art book (published by Phaidon Press, well known for their visual art books) is a splendid collection of the artist’s bountiful collection of work.
IMHO I don’t think any number of words or paragraphs, no matter how lyrical or poetically written can fully describe the ethereal beauty of Waterhouse’s work. His mastery of the media and understanding of the workings of light, shadows, composition, posing, color is sublime.
Tears came to my eyes when I gazed upon the Lady Of Shalott in Tate Britain during my trip to Europe.
Many of Waterhouse’s works depict subjects and stories from Arthurian legend and mythology, which I adore. The above painting is however inspired by a ballad by the poet Keats, “La Belle Dame sans Merci” ( The beautiful Lady Without Mercy ).
(below left) The Lady Of Shalott Looking at Lancelot. This painting was used on the cover of the art book Victorian Painting, which I highly recommend as well.
“A sumptuous guide to the romance, drama and ethereal beauty of the work of J.W. Waterhouse”.
My highest, highest recommendations.
“John William Waterhouse″ art book details :
– Dimensions – 1.2 x 10.1 x 11.5 inches
– Soft cover, 240 pages
– Full color
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John Everett Millais Art Book Review
William Bouguereau : His Life and Works Art Book Review
Victorian Painting Art Book Review
Paris Trip VII – Tate Britain And The Lady Of Shalott
The Art Of William Bouguereau
July 18th, 2013 at 3:50 am
You are reminding me that a trip to the Tate is long overdue. I haven’t actually been since I moved to London, which was in bloody 2009!!! (Why have I been here for so long?!)
Oh, when you’re spoilt with living in the city everyone wants to be a tourist in and never go to any of the amazing museums that are there. x_x
‘The Lady of Shalott’ is one of my favourites too – the Alfred Lord Tennyson poem, its musicalisation by Loreena McKennitt and Waterhouse’s various interpretations of it.
July 22nd, 2013 at 12:30 am
alua – Yes, you have no excuse since you in London ! 😛
I have 2 Loreena McKennitt albums but I did not know she had such a song…till now ! Thanks for the heads up.