George Frederic Watts

Love and Life

c.1884–5

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Not on display
Artist
George Frederic Watts 1817–1904
Medium
Oil paint on canvas
Dimensions
Support: 2222 x 1219 mm
Collection
Tate
Acquisition
Presented by the artist 1897
Reference
N01641

Display caption

Of all the works he donated to the Tate Gallery, Watts said that ‘probably Love and Life best portrays my message to the age. Life, represented by the female figure, never could have reached such heights unless protected and guided by Love’.

In the painting Love is shown guiding a naked, frail young woman up the rocky path of existence. As they ascend, violets blossom on jagged stones and clouds disperse to reveal a clear blue sky. Love is here understood as altruism and compassion, rather than physical passion.

Gallery label, September 2004

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Symbolism

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George Frederic Watts, ‘Love and Death’ c.1885–7

George Frederic Watts Love and Death

c.1885–7
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art
George Frederic Watts, ‘Death Crowning Innocence’ 1886–7

George Frederic Watts Death Crowning Innocence

1886–7
George Frederic Watts, ‘Eve Tempted’ exhibited 1884

George Frederic Watts Eve Tempted

exhibited 1884
George Frederic Watts, ‘The Dweller in the Innermost’ c.1885–6

George Frederic Watts The Dweller in the Innermost

c.1885–6
George Frederic Watts, ‘‘She shall be called woman’’ c.1875–92

George Frederic Watts ‘She shall be called woman’

c.1875–92
George Frederic Watts, ‘The All-Pervading’ 1887–90

George Frederic Watts The All-Pervading

1887–90
George Frederic Watts, ‘Mammon’ 1884–5

George Frederic Watts Mammon

1884–5
George Frederic Watts, ‘Psyche’ 1880

George Frederic Watts Psyche

1880
On display at Tate Britain part of Walk Through British Art
George Frederic Watts, ‘Time, Death and Judgement’ 1900

George Frederic Watts Time, Death and Judgement

1900
George Frederic Watts and assistants, ‘Chaos’ c.1875–82

George Frederic Watts and assistants Chaos

c.1875–82
George Frederic Watts, ‘Faith’ c.1890–6

George Frederic Watts Faith

c.1890–6
Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt, ‘Love and the Pilgrim’ 1896–7

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt Love and the Pilgrim

1896–7

Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt The Temple of Love

date not known
Arthur Hacker, ‘The Annunciation’ 1892

Arthur Hacker The Annunciation

1892
George Frederic Watts, ‘The Messenger’ c.1884–5

George Frederic Watts The Messenger

c.1884–5