Latest News
Discover what's new in the world of John William Waterhouse: learn about new books, exhibitions, auctions, and mentions of Waterhouse in the media.
Exhibitions of Waterhouse's Paintings
The Legend of King Arthur at Falmouth
Falmouth Art Gallery, Cornwall: The Legend of King Arthur: A Pre-Raphaelite Love Story (until 30 September 2023)
Reviews in the local Falmouth newspaper: 13th June and 10th September.
Waterhouse at Auction
'British and European Art', Christies, 13 July 2023
A very early painting by J.W. Waterhouse was auctioned in July 2023. Miranda (from William Shakespeare's play 'The Tempest') was a theme which Waterhouse returned to throughout his career.
Christie's, London: Miranda ('British and European Art', 13 July 2023).
Price realised: GBP 17,640 (Estimate: GBP 10,000 - GBP 15,000)
Read more:
Read the catalogue lot entry »
'British and European Art', Christie's, 13 December 2022
Christie's, London: Gather Ye Rosebuds While Ye May ('British and European Art', 13 December 2022)
Price realised: GBP 966,000 (Estimate: GBP 700,000 - GBP 1,000,000)
Read more:
Read the catalogue entry with a lot essay by Peter Trippi »
Books about J.W. Waterhouse
'Turning the Light on. J.W. Waterhouse, RA - A Biography' by Rob Cartwright
"There have now been two in-depth biographies to date of the artist J W Waterhouse (1849-1917), RA: the 1980 one by Dr. Hobson and the 2002 one by Peter Trippi. Both biographies have provided full detail related to Waterhouse’s art, but neither – principally due to the lack of existence of Waterhouse family papers / documentation – have successfully covered Waterhouse’s family life, personality, beliefs, personal life, and the full friendship circles he moved within. This book fully addresses these gaps."
Waterhouse in the News
Waterhouse in the Summer 2003 edition of the Pre-Raphaelite Society Review
There are 2 articles of interest in the Summer 2023 number of the Pre-Raphaelite Society's publication 'The Review' (Volume XXXI, Number 2):
- a review of the recent Waterhouse biography by Rob Cartwright
- an article about the Magic Circle by Mark & Jennifer Williams: 'A Mirror of Poesy'.
Paul Weller and the Lady of Shalott
Did you know that 'Wings of Speed', the closing track on Paul Weller's album 'Stanley Road', drew inspiration from Waterhouse's painting The Lady of Shalott?
Read more:
The painting that inspired a classic Paul Weller song' ('Far Out' Magazine) »
Victoria Jenkins: 'Visions of the Occult'
Victoria Jenkins discusses her new book Visions of the Occult: An Untold Story of Art & Magic which includes discussion of the witch depicted in Waterhouse's painting The Magic Circle.
Read more:
Tate collection's dalliance with the occult is explored in new book ('The Art Newspaper') »
Remembering the Hylas and the Nymphs controversy
In 2018 there was a controversial art project at the Manchester Art Gallery which involved cancelling Waterhouse's Hylas and the Nymphs by removing it from public view. This caused an outcry from the public and forced the gallery to deny censorship. After the project had ended a journalist from The Guardian met with the artist to find out more about what the project had actually hoped to achieve.