Love and Death

Image credit: Bristol Museums, Galleries & Archives

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George Frederic Watts had witnessed the slow decline of a talented young nobleman who died despite all the loving care of his wife. He then painted this allegory: a grand, universal theme showing Love trying to prevent Death entering the House of Life. He explained: 'Love is not restraining Death, for it cannot do so; I wish to suggest the passionate though unavailing struggle to meet the inevitable'. Love's pink wings and the falling petals of the rose emphasise the cold tones used for Death, particularly the icy grey of the flesh.

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Bristol

Title

Love and Death

Date

1875

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 151.1 x W 74.9 cm

Accession number

K221

Acquisition method

bequeathed by Lord Winterstoke, 1911

Work type

Painting

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