John William Godward Art

John William Godward 1861-1922 British At the Window Signed and dated "J.W. Godward. 1920" (lower right) Signed, inscribed and dated "At The Window/J.W.Godward. Rome.1920” (en verso) Oil on canvas A breathtaking quintessential work by John William Godward, this intriguing composition captures a classical beauty in a moment of quiet reflection as she gazes from a marble windowsill. Celebrated as one of the most important Neoclassical painters at the turn of the century, Godward's career was devoted to a segment of Classicism known as the Marble School which championed rendering Greco-Roman subjects placed amongst period architectural settings. Though he worked throughout the late 19th century into the 1920s, Godward’s elegant and ethereal compositions provided an escape from the present day and beckoned viewers to lose themselves in a bygone era of classical serenity. Godward rendered his idyllic scenes with a degree of sensuality and technical mastery that remains unsurpassed. The present work, entitled At the Window, perfectly embodies Godward’s oeuvre. The beautiful subject leans out from a marble aperture with a contemplative gaze. Her elegant peach-colored Grecian gown is punctuated by a deep magenta sash draping down from her waist, accentuating her graceful and sensuous form. Godward renders his idyllic subject and setting with keen detail, carefully painting the veins of various types of marble and his subject’s toe peeking out from beneath the hem of her gown. Of Godward's compelling oeuvre, esteemed art historian Vern Grosvenor Swanson wrote, “He sought to portray peace, feminine charm and ideal perfection by marvelously painted and composed classical pictures of beautiful women in halcyon marble environments.” Raised in Wimbledon, England, Godward debuted at London’s Royal Academy exhibition in 1887. By the subsequent decade, the burgeoning artist was on a steady ascent to artistic success. Having fallen under the influence of British Neoclassical Revivalists Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Lord Frederic Leighton, and Sir Edward John Poynter...

John William Godward 1861-1922 British Cytheris Signed and dated "J.W. Godward / 1922" (upper left) Oil on canvas A classical beauty is captured in a moment of idle reflection in this stunning oil on canvas by John William Godward. Celebrated as one of the most important classical painters at the turn of the century, Godward's career was devoted to a segment of Classicism known as the Marble School, with Greco-Roman subjects placed within architectural settings. His elegant subjects are depicted with a degree of sensuality and technical mastery that remains unsurpassed. The present work, entitled Cytheris, embodies Godward’s lifelong preoccupation with depicting beautiful young women in classically-inspired dress. Cytheris is a nickname associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who was said to have been born of the waves off the coast of the Greek island Cytherea. The title points to the sitter's beauty, but also, as Godward scholar Vern Swanson suggests, perhaps indicates she is a priestess of the cult of Aphrodite, while her soft blue head covering and downward gaze convey a virginal quality. Beautifully rendered with Godward's signature technical perfection, the piece embodies the sensual, graceful languor that permeates his greatest works. Raised in Wimbledon, England, Godward debuted at London’s Royal Academy exhibition in 1887. By the subsequent decade, the burgeoning artist was on a steady ascent to artistic success. Having fallen under the influence of British Neoclassical Revivalists Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Lord Frederic Leighton, and Sir Edward John Poynter, Godward quickly adopted, if not rivaled, their style. He envisioned similar scenes of the ancient world, seamlessly blending antiquity and beauty in breathtaking compositions. The sensuality and mystery of Godward’s maidens, combined with his impressive antique backdrops...

John William Godward is considered among the most important and influential Neoclassical artists of all time. This extraordinary, recently discovered oil on canvas, entitled Cynthia, showcases the remarkable skill of this great master at the very height of his career. Beautifully rendered with Godward's signature technical perfection, the piece embodies the sensual, graceful languor that permeates his greatest works. Godward's career was devoted to these portrayals of women within classical settings — usually dark-haired beauties draped in diaphanous fabrics. However, this work is a rarity within his oeuvre with its dramatically dark, draped background used in lieu of the artist's typical marble columns or views of the Ionian coast. Within this perfectly composed world, Godward heightens the inherent sensuality of his subject through a masterful use of contrast. The vivid, jewel-like tones of her flowing tunic seem especially rich as they fall over her smooth, tanned skin, and these colors are echoed in the rich red ribbons in her elaborately braided hair, which appears soft to the touch thanks to Godward's minute rendering of each individual hair. It is these subtle, yet alluring details that demonstrate Godward's genius as an artist. Raised in Wimbledon, Godward debuted at London’s Royal Academy exhibition in 1887. By the subsequent decade, the burgeoning artist was on a steady ascent to artistic success. Having fallen under the influence of British Neoclassical Revivalists Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Lord Frederic Leighton and Sir Edward John Poynter, Godward quickly adopted, if not rivaled, their style. He envisioned similar scenes of the ancient world, seamlessly blending antiquity and beauty in breathtaking compositions. The sensuality and mystery of Godward’s maidens, combined with his impressive antique backdrops...

John William Godward is considered among the top British Neoclassical artists of his time. His career was devoted to a segment of Classicism known...

John William Godward 1861-1922 • British The Signal Signed and dated "JW Godward 1918" Oil on canvas John William Godward is considered among the top British Neoclassical artists of his time. His career was devoted to a segment of Classicism known as the Marble School, with Greco-Roman subjects placed within elaborate settings that often centered upon marble architectural elements. His elegantly adorned beauties are depicted with a degree of technical mastery that remains unsurpassed. This particular painting entitled The Signal is a culmination of the classical elements for which Godward is world-renowned. Painted during the artist's last years in Rome, this charming oil on canvas exhibits the dramatic palette, luxurious fabrics and classical vision which all are hallmarks of his distinctive oeuvre. Godward's work is most celebrated for its implicit sensuality and masterful, naturalistic detail. Framed in a stunning giltwood frame resembling a classical temple, this painting is true tour-de-force. Godward's stunning canvases have enjoyed a resurgence in the past few years. Today, he is among the most celebrated and in-demand English artists on the market. Raised in Wimbledon, England, Godward debuted at London’s Royal Academy exhibition in 1887. By the subsequent decade the burgeoning artist was on a steady ascent to artistic success. Having fell under the influence of British Neoclassical Revivalists Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, Lord Frederic Leighton, and Sir Edward John Poynter, Godward quickly adopted, if not rivaled, their style. He envisioned similar scenes of the ancient world, seamlessly blending antiquity and beauty in breathtaking compositions. The sensuality and mystery of Godward’s maidens, combined with his impressive antique backdrops...