J.W. Waterhouse [Hardcover]

Peter Trippi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 18, 2002

John William Waterhouse is among the most popular Victorian artists and many of his paintings, such as "The Lady of Shallot", "Hylas and the Nymphs" and "Ophelia", have become icons of femininity recognized the world over. With their compelling composition, glowing colour and Impressionist-inflected technique, these paintings are admired for their beauty, yet at the same time they have the power to transport the viewer into a romantic world of myth and legend. Waterhouse's depictions of female beauty reflect his age's complex and ambivalent attitudes towards women, in which Victorian ideals of sentiment and duty commingled with less noble undercurrents of erotic desire and misogyny. In this study of the artist, Peter Trippi presents an analysis of Waterhouse's seductresses, martyrs and nymphs, together with a lively discussion of the cultural and historical circumstances in which these images were planted. This authoritative volume utilizes research to provide an accessbile biography of the artist and to assess his place in the late Victorian art world. Themes explored include Waterhouse's passion for Italy, literature and the classical world, his participation in England's Royal Academy, his stylistic influences and studio practices, and the collectors, dealers, critics and curators who helped make him famous in his day. Like other Victorian artists, Waterhouse was neglected through much of the 20th century, but as critical inhibitions have fallen away the revival of his fortune has been dramatic. Today he is again acknowledged as a master painter. Peter Trippi's monograph aims to provide a timely re-evaluation that combines a close reading of Waterhouse's imagery with a candid appraisal of his talent.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'The book is beautifully designed, sumptuously illustrated and reasonably priced... Trippi has produced a book which will appeal to a wide variety of readers.' --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Peter Trippi studied at New York University and at the Courtauld Institute of Art, London. Before moving to the Brooklyn Museum of Art (New York City) in 1998, he helped organize and wrote catalogue essays for the Baltimore Museum of Art's international touring exhibition A Grand Design: The Art of the Victoria and Albert Museum. He has prepared the first entry on J.W. Waterhouse for the New Dictionary of National Biography and is the founding Executive Editor of Nineteenth-Century Art Worldwide, an electronic journal produced by the Association of Historians of Nineteenth-Century Art.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Phaidon Press; First Edition edition (October 18, 2002)
• Language: French
• ISBN-10: 071484232X
• ISBN-13: 978-0714842325
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 10.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,108,092 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book fullfills the art., April 7, 2003

By 

Edward Juan "ghost" (Valencia, CA. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: J.W. Waterhouse (Hardcover)

This has to be the best book yet on the works of Waterhouse. Its got historic facts and stories about his young life to a successful artist in Britain. The author goes in depth about concepts and theories of how Waterhouse think in terms of painting and storytelling. It also talks about the other Pre-Raphealists that lived at the same time as Waterhouse; their influence and relationship to him. What I love about the most is the high quality of the prints. The book is big in scale and the prints are marvelous in fullfilling the space.
If you like Waterhouse or Pre-Rapheal artworks this is one book that you won't want to miss.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars VISUAL INTOXICATION, November 18, 2002

By 

JI WON (Berwyn, IL United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: J.W. Waterhouse (Hardcover)

This is the best book on the works of John William Waterhouse to date. From Waterhouse's early works to his decline in popularity after World War 1 to his rediscovery, everything you wanted to know about his works and the man himself. Also his master works like Saint Cecilia, Hylas and the Nymphs and many others are presented in wonderful color to take your breath away. If that wasn't enough some addition works from Rossetti, Burn-Jones and Millais and other Victorian era artists are also featured here. This the ultimate book for lovers of Waterhouse's art works.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Waterhouse Book Ever!!, December 6, 2002

By 

Jennifer Bath (WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: J.W. Waterhouse (Hardcover)

This is the best J.W. Waterhouse book ever published. It's filled with tons of big color photos and information. I recommend this book to everybody who loves him.