John William Waterhouse

John William Waterhouse was born in Rome in 1849 to English painter parents and later became one of the most celebrated artists associated with the Pre-Raphaelite tradition. He trained at the Royal Academy in London, where he developed a strong foundation in academic painting. Waterhouse is best known for his evocative scenes drawn from mythology, literature, and classical legend. His work often focuses on dramatic female figures drawn from ancient and medieval stories.

Blending Pre-Raphaelite detail with a softer, more atmospheric approach, Waterhouse created paintings rich in mood and emotion. Themes of love, fate, and transformation recur throughout his art. He was particularly inspired by poets such as Homer, Ovid, and Tennyson. Waterhouse enjoyed steady success during his lifetime and exhibited regularly at the Royal Academy. In later years, illness slowed his work but did not diminish his vision. He died in 1917. Today, his paintings remain widely admired for their romantic intensity and narrative beauty.