Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. George Frederic Watts died in 1904; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1974.
In context
Orpheus and Eurydice — George Frederic Watts
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 87 at death.
Painted when the artist was 55. The artist lived to 87. 4 of the 38 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.
Shaded: the lifetime of George Frederic Watts (1817–1904) ▲ this work, 1872 every dated painting, decade by decade
First works: up to 1877 Main working years: 1877–1890 Late works: from 1890
Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/george-frederic-watts-orpheus-and-eurydice-9GZR2D-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Clay #86693a
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 75.7% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 146 works by this artist, of which 32 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Marylebone, United Kingdom
george frederic watts, a prominent figure in the symbolist movement, was born on february 23, 1817, in marylebone, london. his early life was marked by delicate health and the loss of his mother at a young age. watts' father, a piano-maker, provided him with a conservative christian education and introduced him to the classics, including the iliad. this classical influence would later become a cornerstone of his artistic style.
watts began his artistic journey at the age of 10, learning sculpture under william behnes. he later enrolled as a student at the royal academy schools at 18. his first exhibition at the academy in 1837 marked the beginning of his prolific career.
caractacus, a drawing submitted for a competition to design murals for the new houses of parliament, earned watts a first prize in 1843.
his subsequent travels to italy (1843-1847) and his association with the british ambassador henry fox influenced his style, as seen in his portrait of lady holland, exhibited in 1848.
watts' return to britain led to a commission for a fresco in the houses of parliament, which he completed between 1848 and 1853.
watts' most famous works include:
hope and love and life, intended as part of an epic symbolic cycle called the "house of life."
the triumph of the red cross knight (from the faerie queene), completed in 1852-53, showcases his mastery of allegorical subjects.
his portrait of actress ellen terry, painted in 1864, exemplifies his ability to capture the essence of his subjects.
watts' influence on the art world is undeniable. his association with the symbolist movement and his innovative use of color and form have made him a beloved figure in the history of british art. view george frederic watts' artworks on AllPaintingsStore.com
lincoln's inn, featuring his fresco justice, a hemicircle of lawgivers.
the watts gallery – artists' village in guildford, united kingdom, dedicated to preserving watts' works and other artists.
discover more about george frederic watts and his contributions to the symbolist movement on AllPaintingsStore.com.
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Look closely
Orpheus and Eurydice — George Frederic Watts
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
You can order a hand-painted reproduction of "Orpheus and Eurydice" by George Frederic Watts directly on its Hand-Painted Reproduction page: a hand-painted oil reproduction on linen canvas, made to order.
"Orpheus and Eurydice" by George Frederic Watts can be previewed on your own wall with the artwork's AR Preview page, using augmented reality on a compatible device.
When "Orpheus and Eurydice" was created in 1872, George Frederic Watts - born in 1817 - was 55 years old.