J.W. Waterhouse

by Anthony Hobson, J.W. Waterhouse (Painter)

An accessible introduction to the work of this renowned Victorian painter.

Genres: Art, Nonfiction, Art History, Biography, Reference, Art Design, Victorian

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Anthony Hobson is a practising painter as well as a teacher and author. He is an Honorary Research Fellow of the Coventry Polytechnic, where he taught for many years as Head of the General Studies Department and Principal Lecturer in the History of Art. His scholarly monograph on J. W. Waterhouse was published in 1980.
-from the jacket of J. W. Waterhouse (1989)

Reviews

[Glasdow Teacosy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finally had a chance to read this book through from cover to cover as opposed to drooling over the pictures for the past year. Hobson has written a very thorough exploration of Waterhouse as an artist. He has also done an excellent job of placing Waterhouse in perspective with his peers and with the art movements of his day. Of course, the gorgeous artwork that fills the book makes the purchase more than worth it.

J. W. Waterhouse was a slow but exquisite artist —something I take great inspiration from—who mined the mythologies of Greece and his Italian heritage for decades of painting subjects. Often referred to as a Pre-Raphaelite, Waterhouse took a classic approach to painting but with modern sensibilities. His subject matter was often a young maiden in historical garb straight out of mythology. Although this was no different than much of the art of his day, Waterhouse imbued the personality of his models into his paintings—often using the same models for many years—which often gave a personal & emotional interpretation to well-worn themes. A narrator at heart, Waterhouse focused on the human conflict of each story and not the plot.

I look forward to pouring over this book from time to time now throughout the years and may even hunt down a collector's copy of the hardcover.

[E · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a beautiful book, only 125 pages but large and filled with color plates of the paintings of the Pre Raphaelite painter J. W. Waterhouse.

[Kim Browers · Rating 4 out of 5]

J.W. Waterhouse has been my favorite artist since I was a teen. I'm not claiming to be knowledgeable about art history, or a collector of fine art. I have simply fallen into the magic of his style, and the timeless beauty of his subject matter. The text was only a sidelight to the actual works of art that are compiled here, but it was also well-written. The photographic cross-section is fantastic, and contains the most beloved favorites as well as some lesser-known pieces and studies. I could page through this book every day and not tire of it.

[Sarai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Product description:
J.W. Waterhouse was one of the most successful painters of the Victorian age, with many of his paintings becoming archetypal Victorian images. In this book the author, a practising painter and teacher, gives an artist's appreciation of Waterhouse as a master of Romantic Classicism.

Waterhouse is one of my all-time, favorite artists. The prints in this book are fantastic just to flip through, even if you don't feel like reading the text. :)

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lovely book contains plates of most of Waterhouse's best work, including my personal favorite, The Lady of Shalott (he did three of this subject; the one with the Lady in her boat is the best). Hobson, a Waterhouse scholar, presents and discusses the major works, together with brief biographical comments. Hobson is a shameless acolyte, but taking that into account it's still a great overview of this artist and his beautiful paintings.

[Rosalía · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lady of Shalott - It's in my bedroom., Ophelia, Narcissus, Mariana in the South, Apollo and Daphne, Circe Individuosa, Destiny, My Sweet Rose... These are some favorites. His wife was the inspiration for the works? She must have been a very beautiful woman.

[Reyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story and quick read. Loved all the poetry woven throughout.

[Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of J.W. Waterhouse paintings

[Lia C · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely superb comprehensive look at the English Victorian painter, John William Waterhouse, and his illustrious career.
Based on author Anthony Hobson's doctoral thesis, this unassuming paperback is a treasure trove of Waterhouse's masterful body of work over the course of his life. Hobson's final line of the introduction sums up the ingenious illustrative painter perfectly, "... Waterhouse brought the two other essentials of the great artist in the narrative field, an unerring sense of composition and the instinct for the moment in the story at which everything stands still for our contemplation."
Some other reviewers are unsatisfied with the many black and white reproductions of celebrated works, but what was probably done to save money only strengthens Waterhouse's artistic ability. When a color piece is reproduced in black and white, it's a test to see how strong the painter's talent is; well-defined gradation and unrivaled knowledge of colors are a testament to Waterhouse's legacy.
As one of my favorite painters, I am biased in saying everyone should read this book. However, even to spend time glancing at the impressive paintings of this Romantic Classicist (NOT a Pre-Raphaelite) painter is still a moving experience, and I recommend it for everyone.

[vasja · Rating 4 out of 5]

о творчестве уотерхауса, если рассматривать его солитарно, в отрыве от прерафаэлитов, написано не так много книг. монография хобсона — абсолютная база, позволяющая вникнуть в контекст, познакомиться с автором такого большого списка выдающихся произведений. и безумно нежный текст, одного тонко чувствующего человека о другом тонко чувствующем человеке. великое множество отсылок, глубокий смысловой анализ, большая включенность в контекст эпохи. в сочетании с лекцией другого биографа дж. у. уотерхауса — питера триппи — мне удалось наиболее полно вникнуть в его творчество.

[Serge Pierro · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book on J.W. Waterhouse, that covers the man himself, and his paintings. Covered are all of the iconic images associated with Waterhouse, and even has some sections of paintings enlarged so that you could see the brush work and canvas. A very enjoyable book for those interested in Victorian/Pre-Raphaelite paintings.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite historical artists. A fabulous read.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite artist

[Jane Carotenuto]

One of my favorites for the Pre-Raphaelite period.

[Callista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful paintings. The girls' expressions look so real.

[Ema · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some people write epic poems. And some artist's paint epic paintings. Waterhouse paints epic paintings. This is a beautiful edition.

[Ann Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Perfect for coffee table or for gift giving.