Fine Art Poster
From £28
A giclée print on 200gsm matte fine art paper, using a twelve-colour process for accurate, fade-resistant colour. Supplied unframed, delivered flat or rolled.
Fair Rosamund - John William Waterhouse
Regular price
£28.00 GBP
Sale price
£28.00 GBP
Regular price
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
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Made to order
Description
A narrative painting by John William Waterhouse depicting the legendary Fair Rosamund in a moment of quiet isolation, unaware of the approaching Queen Eleanor.
John William Waterhouse painted Fair Rosamund in 1916, near the end of his career. The work depicts the legendary figure of Rosamund Clifford, the mistress of King Henry II, who was famously hidden away in a labyrinthine bower to protect her from the jealousy of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Waterhouse captures a moment of quiet anticipation as Rosamund gazes through an arched window, unaware of the encroaching danger behind her.
The composition is divided between the peaceful exterior view and the tense interior space. Rosamund wears a deep blue gown, her posture suggesting a sense of longing or isolation. Beside her, a small vase of roses sits on a table, a subtle nod to her name. In the background, the artist includes a framed embroidery depicting a knight on horseback, which mirrors the arrival of the Queen. The figure of Queen Eleanor is visible behind a heavy red curtain, her hand pulling back the fabric to reveal her presence. This narrative device creates a sense of impending tragedy.
Waterhouse employs a balanced palette, contrasting the cool blues of the protagonist's dress with the warm, ominous reds of the curtain and the dark tones of the tiled floor. The checkerboard floor adds a geometric structure to the room, grounding the figures within the architectural setting. The painting reflects the artist's interest in literary and historical subjects, a hallmark of his later period. By focusing on the psychological state of the subject rather than mere action, Waterhouse invites the viewer to consider the narrative tension inherent in the legend. The attention to detail in the costume and the interior furnishings demonstrates his technical skill and his ability to construct a convincing, atmospheric scene.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Complete The Look
Fair Rosamund - John William Waterhouse
Regular price
From £28.00 GBP
Sale price
From £28.00 GBP
Regular price
Fine Art Poster / A4 (21x29.7 cm) / -
Artist Biography
John William Waterhouse
Waterhouse painted women from myths who were about to drown, be cursed, or meet something terrible. The Lady of Shalott drifting downstream to her death. Hylas being pulled into a pool by nymphs. Circe offering poison. Ophelia. Echo and Narcissus. The women are always beautiful. The water is always involved. The moment is always the one just before everything goes wrong.
He was born in Rome to English parents (both painters) and grew up surrounded by Italian art before moving to London as a child. He studied at the Royal Academy Schools and exhibited there from 1874 until his death in 1917. He was a Royal Academician, successful, respected, and thoroughly Victorian.
His technique is Pre-Raphaelite in spirit but Impressionist in handling. The early works are tighter, more archaeological, influenced by Alma-Tadema's classical scenes. The later paintings are looser, with broader brushwork and richer colour. The Lady of Shalott (1888) combines both: precise detail in the boat and tapestry, atmospheric softness in the trees and water.
He painted several versions of the same subjects. Two versions of The Lady of Shalott. Two of Ophelia. Multiple paintings of Circe. He returned to the same stories because the stories gave him what he needed: a beautiful woman in a dramatic landscape at a moment of transformation. The formula was reliable and the execution was consistently good.
He is sometimes grouped with the Pre-Raphaelites but was a generation younger than Rossetti, Millais, and Hunt. He was closer to the Aesthetic Movement and to late Victorian narrative painting. He is one of the most reproduced painters in the history of art prints, which would have pleased him.
He was born in Rome to English parents (both painters) and grew up surrounded by Italian art before moving to London as a child. He studied at the Royal Academy Schools and exhibited there from 1874 until his death in 1917. He was a Royal Academician, successful, respected, and thoroughly Victorian.
His technique is Pre-Raphaelite in spirit but Impressionist in handling. The early works are tighter, more archaeological, influenced by Alma-Tadema's classical scenes. The later paintings are looser, with broader brushwork and richer colour. The Lady of Shalott (1888) combines both: precise detail in the boat and tapestry, atmospheric softness in the trees and water.
He painted several versions of the same subjects. Two versions of The Lady of Shalott. Two of Ophelia. Multiple paintings of Circe. He returned to the same stories because the stories gave him what he needed: a beautiful woman in a dramatic landscape at a moment of transformation. The formula was reliable and the execution was consistently good.
He is sometimes grouped with the Pre-Raphaelites but was a generation younger than Rossetti, Millais, and Hunt. He was closer to the Aesthetic Movement and to late Victorian narrative painting. He is one of the most reproduced painters in the history of art prints, which would have pleased him.
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Fine Art Framed
From £45
The same fine art print in a solid wood frame with UV-protective acrylic glaze and rigid backing. Five frame colours. Arrives ready to hang.
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