Paper

Student Artwork Guide

The Answer

R.B.A John William Godward

Name Class Date
R.B.A John William Godward, The Answer. Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
R.B.A John William Godward originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/r-b-a-john-william-godward/
Artist’s dates
1861 – 1922
Movement
Neoclassicism A deliberate return to the calm balance and clear outlines of ancient Greek and Roman art.

Copyright This work is in the public domain. R.B.A John William Godward died in 1922; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1992.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 8, 2026

The Answer — R.B.A John William Godward Part 1 · The artwork

In context

The Answer — R.B.A John William Godward

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1860
  2. 1870
  3. 1880
  4. 1890
  5. 1900
  6. 1910
  7. 1920

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 61 at death.

Shaded: the lifetime of R.B.A John William Godward (1861–1922) every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1895 Main working years: 1895–1913 Late works: from 1913

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

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

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/r-b-a-john-william-godward-the-answer-8BWTEL-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Espresso #3c291f

    Catalogued palette

    • #3C291F
    • #806F50
    • #93927F
    • #5C4B35

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Espresso
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Balanced How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Shadow How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by R.B.A John William Godward over the last twelve months — 15 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 57.0%5,300 visits
    2. 2 United States of America 20.4%1,900 visits
    3. 3 Italy 5.4%500 visits
    4. 4 Georgia 2.2%200 visits
    5. 5 Hong Kong 2.2%200 visits
    6. 6 South Korea 2.2%200 visits
    7. 7 Portugal 2.2%200 visits
    8. 8 Canada 1.1%100 visits
    9. 9 Germany 1.1%100 visits
    10. 10 Ecuador 1.1%100 visits
    11. · 5 other countries 5.1%500 visits

    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.

    The 20 most looked-at works by R.B.A John William Godward

    1. 1 Athenais, 1908 6.2%700 visits
    2. 2 The Delphic Oracle 5.3%600 visits
    3. 3 Ianthe 5.3%600 visits
    4. 4 With Violets Wreathed and Robe of Saffron Hue 3.5%400 visits
    5. 5 Expectation, 1900 3.5%400 visits
    6. 6 Dolce far niente 3.5%400 visits
    7. 7 Ionian Dancing Girl 2.7%300 visits
    8. 8 The Belvedere 2.7%300 visits
    9. 9 In the Tepidarium, 1913 1.8%200 visits
    10. 10 The Sweet Siesta of a Summer Day 1.8%200 visits
    11. 11 Reverie, 1912 1.8%200 visits
    12. 12 A Grecian Girl 1.8%200 visits
    13. 13 The Answer this painting 1.8%200 visits
    14. 14 Ophelia 1.8%200 visits
    15. 15 Reverie (Study) 1.8%200 visits
    16. 16 A Priestess 1.8%200 visits
    17. 17 Liegende 1.8%200 visits
    18. 18 sappho, 1910 1.8%200 visits
    19. 19 The Tambourine Girl (II) 1.8%200 visits
    20. 20 The Time of Roses, 1916 0.9%100 visits

    Together these works take 53.4% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 277 works by this artist, of which 73 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 13 of them, with 1.8% of that attention (200 visits). 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.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 8, 2026

    The Answer — R.B.A John William Godward Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    The Answer — R.B.A John William Godward

    The Answer is an oil on canvas painting by the English painter John William Godward. It is painted in 1917. The vast majority of Godward's extant images feature women in Classical dress, posed against these landscape features, though there are some semi-nude and fully nude figures. Godward devoted his whole life to painting girls in classical robes, usually posing decoratively on a marble terrace. The painting (76.2 × 76.2 cm) is now in Private collection.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 8, 2026

    The Answer — R.B.A John William Godward Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    R.B.A John William Godward

    John William Godward: A Victorian Neo-Classical Master

    Early Life and Background

    Born: August 9, 1861, Wimbledon, England.

    Died: December 13, 1922, London, England.

    John William Godward was the eldest of five children born to John Godward, an investment clerk, and Sarah Eboral.

    His early life was marked by a reclusive nature, largely attributed to his parents’ overbearing personalities. This introversion profoundly influenced his artistic sensibilities.

    Artistic Development and Influences

    Early Training: Godward received formal art training, though specific details remain scarce due to the destruction of his personal papers.

    Key Influences: He was heavily influenced by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema and Frederic Leighton, both prominent figures in Victorian Neo-Classicism.

    Like Alma-Tadema, Godward demonstrated a meticulous attention to detail in rendering classical architecture and textures. However, he developed his own distinct style characterized by vibrant colors and idealized depictions of beauty.

    Career and Major Works

    Royal Academy Exhibitions: Godward first exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1887, marking the beginning of his public recognition.

    Notable Paintings:

    Dolce far Niente (1904): Perhaps his most famous work, purchased by Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1995.

    When the Heart is Young (1902): Exemplifies Godward’s ability to capture youthful innocence and beauty.

    The Mirror (1899): Showcases his skill in contrasting textures and creating a sense of depth.

    In the Tepidarium (1913): A semi-nude figure demonstrating his versatility within the Neo-Classical genre.

    Athenais: A stunning example of his idealized female figures in classical settings.

    Move to Italy: In 1912, Godward moved to Rome with one of his models, a decision that led to estrangement from his family.

    Style and Themes

    Neo-Classical Style: Godward’s work is characterized by its adherence to classical forms, themes, and aesthetics.

    Recurring Motifs: He frequently depicted beautiful women in classical attire, often engaged in moments of repose or contemplation.

    Technical Mastery: Godward was renowned for his meticulous attention to detail, particularly in rendering textures such as marble, fur, and fabrics. His use of vibrant colors further distinguished his style.

    He is often described as a ‘High Victorian Dreamer’ due to the idealized and romanticized nature of his paintings.

    Tragic End and Legacy

    Death: Godward tragically took his own life in 1922 at the age of 61.

    Family Reaction: His family, ashamed of his suicide, destroyed his papers and attempted to erase his memory.

    Historical Significance: Despite the attempts to suppress his legacy, Godward’s work has experienced a resurgence in popularity. He remains a significant figure in Victorian Neo-Classicism, celebrated for his technical skill, idealized beauty, and evocative depictions of classical themes.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for The Answer

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/r-b-a-john-william-godward-the-answer-8BWTEL-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Godward, R.B.A John William. The Answer. n.d., https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/r-b-a-john-william-godward-the-answer-8BWTEL-en/
    APA
    Godward, R.B.A John William (n.d.). The Answer [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/r-b-a-john-william-godward-the-answer-8BWTEL-en/
    Chicago
    R.B.A John William Godward. The Answer. n.d. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/r-b-a-john-william-godward-the-answer-8BWTEL-en/
    Harvard
    Godward, R.B.A John William (n.d.) The Answer. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/r-b-a-john-william-godward-the-answer-8BWTEL-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 8, 2026

    The Answer — R.B.A John William Godward Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    The Answer — R.B.A John William Godward

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: classical woman, seascape setting, elegant portrait. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at The Sweet Siesta of a Summer Day, earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Neoclassicism: A deliberate return to the calm balance and clear outlines of ancient Greek and Roman art. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 8, 2026

    The Answer — R.B.A John William Godward Part 5 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    Can I see "The Answer" by R.B.A John William Godward on my own wall before buying?

    The AR Preview page of "The Answer" by R.B.A John William Godward uses augmented reality to show the artwork in your own space, on a compatible device.

    How many people view "The Answer"?

    Statistics about "The Answer" by R.B.A John William Godward are on the artwork's Stats page: monthly visits of the artwork, visits of the artist's works, and country and language breakdowns of recent visitors.

    How is the color composition of "The Answer" by R.B.A John William Godward built?

    The color composition of "The Answer" by R.B.A John William Godward combines a balanced contrast with a strong color unity harmony.