{"product_id":"mariana-in-the-south-john-william-waterhouse","title":"Mariana in the South - John William Waterhouse","description":"\u003cp\u003eA 1897 oil painting by John William Waterhouse depicting a solitary woman gazing into a mirror, inspired by Tennyson's poetry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn William Waterhouse painted Mariana in the South in 1897, drawing inspiration from the poem of the same name by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The work depicts the character Mariana, a figure from Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, who waits in isolation for her absent lover. Waterhouse places her in a medieval interior, kneeling before a large, oval mirror that reflects her weary expression. Her long, flowing hair and pale, voluminous gown contrast with the geometric precision of the black and white chequered floor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition focuses on the psychological state of the subject. By using the mirror, Waterhouse creates a dual perspective, allowing the viewer to observe both the back of the figure and her reflected face. This technique adds a layer of introspection to the scene. The lighting is soft, filtering through the space to illuminate the textures of the fabric and the polished surface of the mirror frame. The colour palette remains muted, relying on soft pinks, deep browns, and the stark contrast of the floor tiles to define the space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWaterhouse was associated with the later phase of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. His work often features literary subjects, particularly women from mythology or classic poetry, placed in atmospheric settings. This painting demonstrates his technical skill in rendering human emotion through posture and gaze. The attention to detail in the architecture and the folds of the dress reflects his academic training and his interest in historical themes. The painting is currently held in the collection of the Art Gallery of South Australia, having been acquired in 1897. It remains a representative example of late nineteenth-century British narrative painting, capturing a moment of quiet solitude and longing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/penelope-dante-gabriel-rossetti\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003ePenelope - Dante Gabriel Rossetti — Dante Gabriel Rossetti\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/the-knight-errant-john-everett-millais\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eThe Knight Errant - John Everett Millais — John Everett Millais\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"John William Waterhouse","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58844390228303,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58844490596687,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58844490629455,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ B2 (50x70 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58844490662223,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A1 (59.4 x 84.1  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58844490694991,"sku":null,"price":55.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Mariana-in-the-South_Poster_CompositorV1_1790027872764.jpg?v=1790028627","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.co.uk\/products\/mariana-in-the-south-john-william-waterhouse","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}