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Bouguereau, Leighton and Waterhouse19th-century Artists with Mythological Themes
Though overshadowed by the Impressionists in their own day, the works of these romantic and idealistic artists has through time gained a new respect and admiration.
Many artists of the 19th century chose subjects from Classical mythology. William Adolphe BouguereauBouguereau was a French painter. He was born November 30, 1925 and died August 19, 1905. Bouguereau was a strict traditionalist. His paintings created an idealized, romantic world, often using mythological themes or interpretations of Classical subjects. Bouguereau’s work has a strong emphasis on the human body. In his day, his photo-realistic paintings were popular with the wealthy. He painted angels, cupids and rustic scenes of country girls as well as mythological subjects. A prolific artist, he created over 700 works. His paintings were viewed by many as being overly sentimental. Some of his mythological works include, The Abduction of Psyche, The Birth of Venus (not to be confused with Botticelli’s work of the same name) and The Nymphaeum. The Pre-RaphaelitesIn England, the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood formed when a group of 19th century artists rebelled against the style of painting popular in their time. They chose to embody themes similar to those of the great Italian artists before Raphael. (thus the name Pre-Raphaelite.) The Brotherhood lasted only a few years, but it inspired many Victorian artists such as John William Waterhouse and Edmund Blair Leighton. John William WaterhouseJ. W. Waterhouse’s paintings portray Classical, historical, and literary themes. Waterhouse, often called by the nickname "Nino", was born in Rome in 1849. His father was also a painter, and he helped him in his studio. Waterhouse married Esther Kenworthy in 1883. Despite suffering from serious illness, Waterhouse continued painting until his death in 1917. Waterhouse drew inspiration from literature and mythology to create paintings such as Miranda and Tristam and Isolade. Many of his paintings were based on classical tales from Homer. His aesthetic style and romantic subjects are reminiscent of the poetry of Keats and Tennyson. He was also known for his paintings of female characters from mythology such as Circe Invidiosa, Cleopatra, and La Belle Dame Sans Merci. His most famous work is the Lady of Shalott. Edmund Blair LeightonBritish painter Edmund Leighton was the son of the well-known artist Charles Blair Leighton. He was born in London in 1853. Leighton’s paintings focused strongly on Regency and medieval subjects. They evoke nostalgia for a more idealized past. Leighton married Katherine Nash in 1885 and they had two children, a son and a daughter. In an obiturary written at the time of his death, his works were described as being “ ephemeral” and “the equivalent of light literature.” However, his work has withstood the test of time. Some of his best known paintings include Godspeed, Lady Godiva, and The Accolade.
The copyright of the article Bouguereau, Leighton and Waterhouse in Classical Art is owned by Vickie Britton. Permission to republish Bouguereau, Leighton and Waterhouse in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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