The Time of Roses

细节

John William Godward, R.B.A (English, 1861-1922)
The Time of Roses
signed and dated 'J.W. Godward 1916' (lower left)
oil on canvas
33 x 33 in. (81.5 x 81.5 cm.) circular
Painted in 1916

来源

B. Langley Collection, London.
Anon. sale, Christie's, London, 5 February 1960, lot 131 (94 gns., 10 s.)
Cooling Galleries, London, 1960 (purchased at the above sale).
Apple & Carpenter, London.
Richard Green, London, 1990, where purchased by the present owner.

出版

V. Swanson, John William Godward, London, 1997, pl. 89, p. 115 (illustrated).

拍品专文

In this impressive canvas Godward effortlessly adapted his subject to fit the compositional format of the tondo. This canvas features the artist's characteristic jewel-like palette and ever classicizing vision, central to Victorian culture. Indeed, the tondo is a more intimate compositional device as it focuses attention on the sitter. Clothed in sumptuous fabrics, she sits on a chaise draped with leopard skin holding clipping shears in on hand and a white rose in the other. As Dr. Vern Swanson notes; '...the artist's deft handling of tonal and analagous harmonies creates an effective image'(op. cit., p. 112).

In a touching poetic analogy, the sitter holds the white rose in front of her as if it is a mirror reflecting her own beauty. The wall decoration like the Greek Key pattern behind the bouquet coupled with the marble column behind the sitter create strong verticals which harmoniously balance the composition.