Person    | Male  Born 23/2/1817  Died 1/7/1904

G. F. Watts

Categories: Art, Sculpture

Born in London. His piano-making father named him after Handel.

Member of the Holland Park Circle, an informal group of 19th-century artists based in the Holland Park district, especially in Melbury Road and Holland Park Road. Other key members include: Frederic Leighton, Valentine Prinsep, Luke Fildes, Hamo Thornycroft and William Burges.

Married briefly to Ellen Terry, many years his junior. 1886 married Mary Tytler. Leading supporter of the campaign against the use of birds' plumage in fashionable hats, a campaign which led to the creation of the Society for the Protection of Birds. Watts had a gallery built near Guildford for his work, which he opened in 1903. It is open to the public and still displays just his work, which we found of questionable quality. Much more interesting is the chapel, a short walk away, built by his wife, Mary, 1898-1904, well worth a visit.

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
G. F. Watts

Commemorated ati

PP - GFW

We can find no maker, nor date for the erection of this memorial, but its pos...

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PP - Watts relief

This looks as if it's carved wood but Bonhams says it's probably painted cera...

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This section lists the memorials created by the subject on this page:
G. F. Watts

Creations i

Lord Holland statue

Yet anonther lazy London statue - see Peabody for our log of all the seated s...

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Physical Energy

{On a plaque laid into the ground in front of the statue:} George Frederic Wa...

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PP - 3A - Griffin

Thomas Griffin, fitters labourer, April 12, 1899, in a boiler explosion at a ...

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PP - 3B - Peart & Dean

The “fireman” on a steam train was the man who stoked the engine. You’ve seen...

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PP - 3C - Rogers

The Stella was a passenger ferry in service with the London and South Western...

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Other Subjects

Vernon Hill

Vernon Hill

Sculptor and illustrator.  Born Halifax, Yorkshire.  Other work in London in St Columba's Church, Pont Street and Church of St Thomas the Apostle, Hanwell.

Person, Art, Sculpture

1 memorial
David Rhys Jones

David Rhys Jones

Trained at Central Saint Martins. His website.

Person, Art

1 memorial
Garudio Studiage

Garudio Studiage

A Peckham-based creative collective, with individual specialisms in screen-printing, jewellery and painting. The name is derived from the words ‘Garage Studio’ which is where the venture started out.

Group, Art

1 memorial
Sir Edward John Poynter

Sir Edward John Poynter

History painter.  Born Paris but brought up in England.  Director of the National Gallery and President of the Royal Academy.  Died at his house and studio, 70 Addison Road, Kensington.

Person, Art

1 memorial
Tate Galleries

Tate Galleries

Four art galleries. The original was founded in Millbank in 1897, as the National Gallery of British Art. It was renamed in 1932 after Henry Tate who had laid the foundations for the collection. Ta...

Group, Art, Museums / Libraries

1 memorial

Previously viewed

T. C. Cooper

T. C. Cooper

A commissioner of Limehouse Library in 1900.

Person, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Coronation of George VI - fig tree

Coronation of George VI - fig tree

EC3, St Dunstan's Hill, St Dunstan's in the East Garden

This plaque was planned during turbulent times in the royal-watching community. Here's the time-line: 20 January 1936, George V died and ...

2 subjects commemorated, 2 creators