John William Waterhouse

Born in Rome in 1849 to painter parents, his early life in Italy significantly influenced his later interest in ancient Roman mythology and classical themes.¹

Early in his career, he showed an interest in Orientalism, sketching Arab models, but this phase was brief before he returned to classical themes.¹

He achieved great success with 'Sleep and his Half-brother Death' at the Royal Academy in 1874, exhibiting there almost every year thereafter.¹

In 1883, he married Esther Kenworthy, a flower painter whose father was an art schoolmaster, placing him in a deeply artistic family environment.¹

Ophelia from Shakespeare's Hamlet was a favorite subject. Influenced by Millais and others, he created multiple versions with his own interpretation.¹

He painted 'The Lady of Shalott' three times, based on Tennyson's poem. Tragic women dying near water became a signature theme of his work.¹

Elected as a full Academician in 1895, he also taught the next generation of artists at the St. John's Wood Art School.¹

Suffering from cancer from 1915, he died in London in 1917. His planned final work, 'Ophelia in the Churchyard', remained unfinished.¹