Penelope and the Suitors - John William Waterhouse
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
Secure checkout
Made to order
Description
A scene from Homer's Odyssey, depicting Penelope at her loom as she is approached by the suitors of Ithaca.
John William Waterhouse completed this work in 1912, drawing upon Homer's Odyssey for his subject matter. The painting depicts Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, seated at her loom. She is surrounded by her attendants while the suitors of Ithaca intrude upon her space. Waterhouse focuses on the tension between the domestic labour of the women and the unwanted presence of the men who occupy the threshold of the room. The composition is divided by the architectural elements of the loom and the wall. Penelope is positioned in the centre, dressed in a striking red chiton, which contrasts with the more muted tones of the surrounding interior. Her posture is one of focused concentration, as she continues her work despite the distraction of the suitors. One suitor extends a bouquet of roses toward her, a gesture that is met with indifference. The background reveals a glimpse of the Mediterranean landscape, providing a sense of place and scale. Waterhouse was known for his interest in classical literature and the depiction of female figures from mythology. His approach to this scene avoids overt melodrama, opting instead for a quiet, psychological observation of the characters. The attention to historical detail, from the design of the loom to the garments worn by the figures, reflects the artist's academic training and his interest in the aesthetic qualities of the ancient world. The painting remains a clear example of his ability to translate literary narratives into visual form through careful staging and a controlled use of colour.
Return policy
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.
Shipping
We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
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.
Penelope and the Suitors - John William Waterhouse
Artist Biography
John William Waterhouse
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.
Our Features
Designed for Lasting Impact
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
Why Choose Us ?
Damage-free delivery guarantee
Fast Shipping
Museum-Quality Materials
Artist Biography
John William Waterhouse
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.
You May Also Like