Our Collection

International Women's Day

Our Collection

Painting of a young woman in a white blouse looking to the left

Object in Focus: Miss May Prinsep

Hilary Underwood, Curatorial Advisor focuses on Miss May Prinsep (1867-69) by George Frederic Watts in this blog.
A half finished bust portrait of Florence Nightingale

Object in Focus: Florence Nightingale

In 1868, George Frederic Watts painted this half-length portrait in three-quarter profile of Florence Nightingale (1820-1910), who famously worked as a nurse during the Crimea.
Carved severed head of Medusa from above

Object in Focus: Medusa

Dr Melissa L Gustin, introduces us to G F Watts, Medusa, 1846-47, alabaster in this blog.
Oil painting featuring Ophelia in side profile closing her eyes surrounded by trees

Object in Focus: Ophelia

Painted in 1863 and reworked in 1877, Watts's Ophelia provides the viewer with a double perspective.
A black and white photograph of Mary with three villagers decorating a highly-decorated panel wall.

Object in Focus: Mary Watts's Recipe Book

Desna Greenhow, author of The Diary of Mary Watts: 1887-1904, discusses Mary's notes on 'Cantoni's Lesson in Casting & making Piece Moulds'.
A man reclines with a woman leaning over him

Object in Focus: Endymion

Besotted with the handsome shepherd Endymion, Diana, goddess of the moon, begged her father Jupiter to grant the mortal eternal youth so that he would never leave her.
Lady Dalrymple portrait, before retouching and after

Object in Focus: Lady Dalrymple

Dr Stacey Clapperton introduces us to this striking portrait, Lady Dalrymple (c. 1851 – 1853) by G F Watts.