John William Waterhouse

1849-1917

The English artist John William Waterhouse is primarily known for his pictures featuring mythological motifs in the Pre-Raphaelite style.

Waterhouse began his artistic training in 1870 at the Royal Academy in London in the field of sculpture. It was not until four years later that he switched to painting. Fascinated by tragic stories and their female protagonists, his early works were characterised by academic realism and classical depictions. Despite illness, Waterhouse continued to work on a series with motifs inspired by legendary tales and Greek mythology in his last years.