Date: 1903
Medium: Oil on canvas
Size:
Location:
“Boreas,” a Pre-Raphaelite masterpiece, shows a young girl bracing against a north wind, which is named after the Greek god of the north wind. The lady is dressed in purple and slate-coloured garments, and her cool silk veil is a symbol of her protection.
Although Waterhouse isn't as famous as many other Pre-Raphaelites, his work is on display in several major British art galleries. In 2009, the Royal Academy of Arts organized a major retrospective of his work. In the meantime, Waterhouse's works can be found in private collections worldwide. This era of painting is particularly rich in Pre-Raphaelite paintings, and he's a fine choice for anyone looking for a classic, timeless painting.
Waterhouse paid equal attention to the background of his paintings, and he used muted colors to avoid distracting from the main scene. These muted colors, however, help the viewer feel the atmosphere of the work. For example, his portrait of Zephyrus and Windflowers are both romantic in tone. The wind-tossed clothing of the women in this painting also reflects romanticism. Although the artist chose to depict the characters in mythological settings, he also painted many mythological figures and landscapes.
