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It's been ages since I visited England...nearly -24 years! It's only just now that I have a little time to recall and share with you my personal experiences with the works of Waterhouse. Since I don't have much time, this page will be a bit rough and crude. I am going to do my best to tell you my stories and adventures then will return to make the page prettier as time permits.
Note: Through out the page, click on a text link to see the details of each painting, click on the photo thumbnail to enlarge it.
Original: The Lady of Shalott
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SPIRITUAL QUESTS
I was lucky to have been able to study abroad in London during Fall term of 1999. Throughout the 3 months there, I made many attempts to track down Waterhouse works. Surprisingly, most of his works are not in London but scattered throughout Northern England. On the right is the famous The Lady of Shalott at the Tate's Gallery in London. The blonde girl is Heather, my ex-girlfriend. When I first saw the painting, I sat down and stared at it for half an hour, refusing to go anywhere else in the Tate's. Can one really appreciate anything else after seeing this stunning painting in person?
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Original: Echo and Narcissus
Original: The Enchanted Garden / Tales from the Decameron
Original: The Enchanted Garden
Original: Tales from the Decameron
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AN ENCHANTED FIRST TRIP
I decided that the best way to see the most paintings was to hit Manchester, Liverpool, then Burnley on the way back to London. I was fortunate enough to have an awesome companion, Gitarts, Dimitry Gitarts for the 5-day trip. We set out on November 3rd, 1999.
Bad fortune greeted us in Manchester as we found out that the Manchester City Art Gallery is closed for renovation. So went our chance to see Hylas and the Nymphs. We left right away for Liverpool. As soon as we settled at the hotel, we went immediately to Walker Art Gallery. Not surprisingly, Echo and Narcissus was one of the first paintings seen in the gallery. Even better, the painting is on the cover of the gallery's guide. Let me tell you, the sensation you get from sitting in the presence of a Waterhouse is almost spiritual. How can one describe overwhelming beauty?
The next morning, after an incredible night out in town, we took a cab to Lady Lever Art Gallery which is in Port Sunlight (Birkenhead). The better alternative would have been the train. The stop (I can't remember the exact one) is just a 5 minutes walk to the gallery.
Two of Waterhouse last works were there, including the incomplete The Enchanted Garden. On the right are the photos of those paintings. Lady Lever Art Gallery also has an impressive collection of pre-raphaelite works including those of Alma Tadema and Dante Gabrielle Rossetti. We found out here that we can actually get a pass which is valid for a year and gives you access to most of the galleries and museums in Liverpool.
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Original: Destiny
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DESTINTY, A CONNECTED MOMENT
No doubt the best moments of the first trip was when I became a part of Waterhouse. Let me explain. Townley Hall Art Gallery was about a 10 minutes cab ride from downtown Burnley. I think it used to be a castle that the town renovated into a beautiful gallery (well, it looks like a small castle). Burnley itself was a tiny town (surprisingly, two Waterhouse's were here including Unwelcome Companion: A Street Scene in Cairo)and it seemed that no one cared about Waterhouse evident by the number of people visiting the gallery at the time we were there...four. Even more rare, nearly all of the works on display were not protected by glass frames! I hope by now you realized my obsession with Waterhouse works so...what were I to do? The photo on the right explains it all. O destiny, destiny. For a brief moment, I was one with Waterhouse. (Oh, for those who can't handle the fact that I touched the painting for a split second, stop your bitchin'...oh, if you were gonna bitch, leave an email address so I can slap you silly).
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Continue with stories from the second trip... |
Wuh, I think so, Brain, but wouldn't anything lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight? - Pinky
Current Waterhouse Posters Promotion
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