George Frederic Watts

From age 10, Watts studied sculpture under William Behnes and devotedly researched the Elgin Marbles at the British Museum, later stating that he learned from them alone, making Greek sculpture the foundation of his art.¹

During his stay in Italy, Watts was deeply inspired by Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and Giotto's Scrovegni Chapel, experiences that shaped his later Symbolist style and passion for fresco painting.¹

In 1843, Watts won a £300 first prize in a competition for murals at the new Houses of Parliament. This success inspired his vision of a grand mural cycle representing the spiritual and social evolution of humanity.¹

Watts lived for 21 years at Little Holland House, the home of the Prinsep family. This bohemian salon, frequented by figures like Julia Margaret Cameron, became a vital base for his creative work.¹

While famous for allegories, Watts was also a skilled portraitist. Through the British ambassador, he painted famous figures like Jérôme Bonaparte, earning high praise for his keen observational skills.¹

The massive fresco 'Justice, A Hemicycle of Lawgivers' at Lincoln's Inn was inspired by Raphael's 'The School of Athens,' embodying Watts's ideal of decorating public buildings with grand art.¹

In the 1860s, Watts's work showed the influence of Rossetti and the Aesthetic movement, emphasizing rich color and sensuous pleasure, blending classical traditions with new artistic trends.¹

In 1864, Watts married actress Ellen Terry, who was 30 years his junior and only 16 at the time. The marriage collapsed within a year, becoming a significant scandal in contemporary social circles.¹