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absentminded_reader's review against another edition
5.0
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.
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.
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