Watts centenary

Magazine Antiques, Oct, 2004 by Miriam Kramer

George Frederic Watts was born in London in 1817. From about 1827 he studied with the sculptor William Behnes, and in 1835 he entered the Royal Academy Schools. In 1843 he went to Italy for four years and on his return to Britain became successful in both sculpture and painting in the classical style. For this he was known as England's Michelangelo.

He had no interest in the contemporary techniques of the Pre-Raphaelites or impressionists, taking the view prevalent in the nineteenth century that art was there for a moral purpose, namely "to affect the mind seriously by nobility of line and colour." He was the first living painter to have works exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and in 1902 he became one of the first holders of the British Order of Merit. Watts died in 1904.

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The centenary of his death is being marked by four exhibitions. At his house in Compton near Guildford, Surrey, now the Watts Gallery, The Vision of G. F. Watts (1817-1904), consisting of some one hundred mainly symbolist works, is on view until October 31. The curator is Veronica Franklin Gould, who is also the editor of the accompanying catalogue, which is published by the Watts Gallery and distributed in North America by Antique Collectors' Club. It may be obtained by telephoning 800-252-5231.

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The Tate Britain in London is displaying The Symbolic Paintings of G. F. Watts with works that Watts bequeathed to the nation. They include his monumental Court of Death as well as Jonah and the Eve Trilogy. The curator is Alison Smith, and the exhibition in on view until the end of the year. There is no catalogue.

At the National Portrait Gallery in London some fifty of Watts's many portraits have been gathered in an exhibition called G. F. Watts: Portraits--Fame and Beauty in Victorian Society. It is on view from October 14 to January 9, 2005, and the curator is Barbara Bryant, who is also the author of the accompanying catalogue, published by the National Portrait Gallery and distributed in North America by Antique Collectors' Club. To order a copy, see above.

Finally, the Royal Academy of Arts in London has a small exhibition devoted to some thirty drawings that Watts bequeathed to the academy. It may be seen from October 15 to January 2. The curator is Annette Wickham, and there is no catalogue.