Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
psychoanalysis, George Frederic Watts, motherly care, Paolo, Francesca
College
Fine Arts and Communications
Department
Art
Abstract
“He came to stay three days: he stayed thirty years,” wrote Sara Pattle Prinsep of her houseguest George Frederic Watts. In 1850, Mr. and Mrs. Prinsep signed a twenty-one year lease for the estate at Little Holland House in London. Shortly after moving in, Mrs. Prinsep asked Victorian artist G.F. Watts to stay with her family so that she could tend to his poor health. Mrs. Prinsep played an important role in Watts’ life. It was upon his introduction to Sara Pattle Prinsep and her single sister Virginia that Watts began his dependence on women to care for him and fill the lack left by the loss of his own mother. The motherliness these women exhibited towards him affected his artistic output, particularly his depictions of women. It is this relationship of motherly care for the artist that lends itself to a psychoanalytic approach to researching Watts’ art from this period.
Recommended Citation
McNairy, Stephanie E. and Peacock, Dr. Martha
(2014)
"Psychoanalysis and the Art of G.F. Watts,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2014:
Iss.
1, Article 427.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2014/iss1/427