John William Waterhouse Art Prints
John William Waterhouse (1849–1917) created some of the most recognisable mythological and literary paintings of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. His art combines carefully observed figures, rich colour and natural detail with stories drawn from classical mythology, Arthurian legend and English poetry.
This collection brings together Waterhouse prints depicting enchantresses, tragic heroines, lovers and legendary figures. His paintings can provide a dramatic focal point for a living room, bedroom, hallway, study or reading space.
The Lady of Shalott
Waterhouse returned repeatedly to Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s Arthurian poetry. His paintings of the Lady of Shalott explore different moments in the heroine’s story, from her isolated life under an unexplained curse to her final journey towards Camelot.
These compositions are among Waterhouse’s best-known works. Their detailed natural settings, narrative tension and romantic character have also made them enduring favourites for framed wall art.
Circe and Classical Mythology
Greek mythology provided Waterhouse with many of his most powerful subjects. In Circe Invidiosa, the sorceress pours poison into the water beneath her, surrounded by an intense arrangement of blue and green. Circe Offering the Cup to Odysseus presents the same mythological figure confronting the viewer from her throne.
Other classical subjects in the collection include Echo and Narcissus, Ulysses and the Sirens, Diogenes and Lamia. Explore more legendary and supernatural subjects in the Mythology, Religious and Occult Art collection.
Poetry, Shakespeare and Romantic Heroines
Waterhouse drew inspiration from writers including Tennyson, Shakespeare, Homer, Ovid and Keats. Paintings such as Juliet, Ophelia and The Soul of the Rose transform familiar literary figures and poetic ideas into richly atmospheric images.
Women frequently occupy the centre of these compositions. Some appear contemplative or vulnerable, while others possess supernatural authority. This balance between beauty, mystery and narrative drama is central to Waterhouse’s continuing appeal.
Waterhouse was influenced by the colour, detail and literary interests associated with the Pre-Raphaelite tradition. Further Victorian paintings inspired by poetry, medieval stories and mythology can be found among our Pre-Raphaelite prints.
Choosing a Waterhouse Print
A large Waterhouse print can become the principal artwork in a room, particularly where the composition contains strong colour or an expansive landscape. Portrait-format works suit narrow walls, alcoves and spaces beside fireplaces, while broader narrative scenes work well above beds, sofas and sideboards.
Black framing can emphasise the darker passages and dramatic character of paintings such as Circe Invidiosa. Lighter framing can complement the flowers, skin tones and softer colours found in The Soul of the Rose, Ophelia and other romantic figure paintings.
GalleryThane Waterhouse reproductions are available in a choice of sizes and materials. Select an unframed fine art print, a handmade framed print or a ready-to-hang canvas panel according to the artwork and its intended setting.
Related Art Collections
Browse the wider Pre-Raphaelite Prints collection for romantic and literary Victorian art, explore Mythology, Religious and Occult Art for classical legends and supernatural subjects, or discover more figure-led artwork in Portraits and People Fine Art Prints.
