JOHN WILLIAM WATERHOUSE EXHIBITION
John William Waterhouse–The Garden of Enchantment, the largest assemblage of this latter day Pre-Raphaelite’s paintings in history, is currently on display at the Musée des Beaux Arts de Montréal (The Montréal Museum of Fine Arts). This will be the exhibition’s last venue, closing February 7, 2010.
by William Stout, CAC Signature Member
Waterhouse (1849-1917) had an outstanding sense of design and a brilliant sense of color. The features of his men and women are both beautiful and timeless. The erotic qualities of his women (particularly in Hylas and The Nymphs and La Belle Dame Sans Mercie) are almost palpable. His work is a perfect combination of tight and loose painting, well-informed by his plein air studies.
The presentation of the paintings is superb and unique to Montréal. Although this version of the show does not include Hylas and The Nymphs, Montréal is displaying more Waterhouse works than the exhibition’s previous two venues, including a room of all of his Lady of Shallot paintings. The walls that display the paintings are solid black. Some are draped with solid black ivy. His largest painting is draped above and on the sides with copious amounts of luxuriant black velvet drapery. There are the patterns and shadows of ivy on the floors, as well as water effects on one floor.
Out of Our Minds, a 28-minute film by Canadians Melissa Auf Der Maur (bassist for The Smashing Pumpkins) and Tony Stone that was inspired by Waterhouse’s work is included as part of the exhibition.
If you are unfamiliar with this great artist’s work and would like to see a variety of Waterhouse paintings, just Google “Waterhouse” and select “Images.”
A softcover catalogue of the exhibition is available at the museum; the hardcover edition is available on the internet. As comprehensive and informative as this catalog is, the reproductions do not do justice to Waterhouse’s extraordinary color.
Musée des Beaux Arts de Montréal//The Montréal Museum of Fine Arts
Jean-Noël Desmarais Pavilion
1380 Sherbrooke West
Montréal, Quebec
Canada H3G 1J5
514/285-2000 or 1-800-899-MUSE
http://www.mbam.qc.ca/en/index.html
For group activities: 514/285-1600, ext. 440













