Lady of Shallot

I don't even know where to begin.

I was purely amazed at the collection/exhibition of British Pre-Raphaelite artist John William Waterhouse's works at the Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal (MFAM). Today was the last exposition day of Waterhouse and even though I'm swamped with schoolwork and studies, I had to see it or I will forever regret it.

My first encounter with J.W.Waterhouse was at my grandma's old house where I would come over often and chill in my aunt's room. In her room, she had giant poster just above her bed of a fairy-tale-like painting that had striked me all my life. I don't know what it was, maybe the nudity aspect of the painting or the fantasy aspect of the image that made me wonder in awe. Whatever may be the reason, I still have that image of it engraved in my mind all the time. When I heard John William Waterhouse's entire life work is coming to MFAM, I needed to clear a day in my schedule to visit it.

I have learned in my Art History class that criticism and judgement of art should never be based on subjective adjectives such as 'beautiful', 'masterpiece', 'wonderful', 'genius' or at least in today's current Art History methodologies. But (my professor would hate me for saying this), Waterhouse's oil on canvas paintings are simply sublime, beautiful, and genius; there, I said it. The exhibition was seperated in 5 distinct spaces; general work, Cleopatra and the classical history, Lady of Shallot, sketches and studies, and finally mythology and nature. Lady of Shallot was my favorite, but mythology isn't too far behind. I was honestly awestruck by the attention of every single details in his paintings and the fanatsy world he emerged us in.

I'm sad I haven't seen it earlier, so that I could have brought some friends back to see it. But since I don't have that many friends interested in art appreciation, I tend to go alone first. Not that it's a bad thing...less talking and more looking.

P.S. I entered myself in a promotional contest at the museum where the grand prize is a 2-way flight for two to LONDON. OMMMGGGGG!!!!!!! I'd literally die if I win. But of course I'm not gonna die cause I'd be going to London!!!! One can only dream...

Edit: Here's the link to what you have missed, check it out to know a little bit more about J.W.Waterhouse.