A Feast for the Eyes and the Soul

The Royal Academy of the Arts has once again created a dynamite exhibition. "J. W Waterhouse - The Modern Pre-Raphaelite" is a sight to behold. The color, the romance, the poetry and sheer beauty of this exhibition are difficult to put into words. We have not seen as comprehensive and well organized collection of the Pre-Raphaelite work since the Academy displayed Andrew Lloyd Webber's collection several years ago. Waterhouse's paintings have been gathered to demonstrate the evolution of his work.

This is the largest retrospective of Waterhouse mounted in Britain to date. Born in Rome to British parents, one sees his admiration for classical antiquity in his early work. Scenes from ancient Rome fill the display room with color and detail that only someone of Waterhouse's caliber can accomplish. In describing the exhibit as a "modern" pre-Raphaelite, the Academy said it best, that he "...more than any artist of his generation, unified the immediacy of French naturalist techniques with the Romantic imagination encapsulated in the words of Shakespeare, Tennyson and Keats...".

As we move through the exhibition we go from the classical Roman pieces to the works that encompass the Greek myths as told by Homer, Ovid and other poets. We see life depicted from Greek, Roman and early Christian history to scenes from mythology and romantic literature. But in all of his pictures we see his ideal of female beauty with subtle references to the knowledge, intuition and special powers that women possess. Some of his tranquil paintings of women in natural settings capture an ethereal quality all it's own.

One of Waterhouse's greatest pieces, St. Cecilia is here to admire. It is the piece that secured his election as one of the 40 'full' Royal Academician. But whichever piece you view, you are looking at vivid colors, beautiful subjects and unique stories. A more romantic set of paintings could not be found. So if you are ready to spend an afternoon drinking in sheer beauty and romance, this is the place to go, see "J. W. Waterhouse - The Modern Pre-Raphaelite". 27 June-13 September 2009.