J.W. Waterhouse and the Magic of Color

English painter John William Waterhouse (1849–1917) communicates his aesthetic vision through his use of color. Throughout his career, he experimented with color as an element with seemingly spatial qualities. His works have an unusual formalism—figures and settings often appear not merely realistic but somewhat hyperreal. Yet paradoxically Waterhouse’s works border on the abstract, prioritizing chromatic features over content. They invite us to focus on colors—and through them line, shape, texture and rhythm—in much the same way as works by Kandinsky, Klee, Matisse or Pollock.

Dani Cavallaro has written widely about literature, cultural theory, and anime. She lives in London.

Dani Cavallaro
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 220
Bibliographic Info: 8 color photos, appendix, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2017
pISBN: 978-1-4766-6709-6
eISBN: 978-1-4766-2846-2
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents


Preface  1

One—The Artist  5

Two—Waterhouse’s Perspective on Color  15

Three—Color and Aestheticism  27

Four—Narrative Color  61

Between pages 92 and 93 are eight color plates

Five—Color and Desire  93

Six—The Materiality of Color  115

Seven—Color in Nature  145

Eight—Color in Decor and Dress  165

Appendix—Waterhouse’s Works  193

Bibliography  197

Index  203