Gathering Summer Flowers in a Devonshire Garden (1893)

"Gathering Summer Flowers in a Devonshire Garden (1893)" by John William Waterhouse

John Waterhouse's sister-in-law Emily lived in a region called Devonshire. Emily had married to a painter named Peregrine Feeney. Feeney built their home in this region. John Waterhouse and his wife Esther frequently visited them. Emily and Feeney both owned a rose garden in their home. The woman in the painting is believed to be Waterhouse's wife. Critics reached this conclusion after noting similarities between the woman in the painting and the women in his previous paintings. Esther may have posed while her husband painted her. The painting thus explains why John Waterhouse made this painting.

Flowers were significant during the era and explains why Waterhouse included them in his paintings. They were mainly used to express messages in a secretive way. Some topics were deemed too inappropriate to talk about openly such as asking someone whether they were in a relationship. Flirting was not allowed, the only way to express your love or interest in someone was to give them a flower. Upper-class women were not allowed to speak to men. If a woman wished to combat this rule, she would secretly hand them a flower or vice versa. Different flowers communicated different meanings. A man who loved a woman would send her tulips. If the woman loved the man too, she would send him tulips. On the other hand, if she did not like the man, she would send him yellow carnations.

Color Changing Fine Art Print
Painter: John William Waterhouse
Composition by: EFX Gallery
© 2022 EFX™ Gallery

Source: https://www.john-william-waterhouse.com/gathering-summer-flowers-in-a-devonshire-garden/