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A Roman Beauty - John William Godward - Hand Painted Oil Painting brings gallery-caliber art into everyday spaces. This fine art oil painting is a 100% hand painted oil painting on canvas, created for buyers who want genuine romantic canvas wall art instead of a mass-produced poster or paper print.
1912
Oil on canvas
The present work was painted during Godward’s “Roman Period,” when he journeyed to the ancient city itself, and took residence in one of the “studii di Pittura e Scultura” of the Villa Stohl-Fern. From its construction in 1879 by the Alsatian Alfred Wilhelm Strohl-Fern (1847-1926), the studio complex had provided seclusion for painters from Arnold B?cklin to Ilya E. Repin to find inspiration. Escaping the pressures of London, Godward likely particularly enjoyed the villa’s expansive gardens, both for their abundant, diverse botanicals and the many Roman sculptures that were set there. Yet Godward was not in Rome to holiday. Indeed, upon visiting his fellow artist in the winter of 1912-3, Sir William Russell Flint found that Godward “worked steadily at his Greek maidens,” with A Roman Beauty one of the many works the focused artist completed in this prolific period (Vern Grosvenor Swanson, John William Godward, The Eclipse of Classicism, Woodbridge, Suffolk, 1997, pp. 100-1).
Set against Godward’s always masterfully recreated marble, painted in shifting cool, creamy tones, the lovely model is placed in profile — a pose that both emulates the figures on ancient Roman coins and allows the viewer to easily observe her graceful neck, blushed cheeks, and long eyelashes. The artist vivifies the costumes of Antique sculpture, with a diaphanous blue-grey gown embroidered and cinched by gold bands. His skilled use of light allows the mother-of-pearl buttons to gleam and glint; the material was used in both ancient Egypt and Greco-Roman society as a decorative element for clothing. Despite the historically-inspired elements, there are hints of Godward's current era as well: the model’s hair, set in waves, recalls styles then worn by the beautiful, chic women of Rome just beyond Godwad’s studio door.
Collectors often choose this fine art image when searching for fine art oil painting that feels substantial rather than decorative or disposable.
Trained artists work in stages — underpainting, mid-tones, highlights, and detail — using traditional oils on canvas. Because nothing is printed, every hand painted oil painting has its own subtle texture and depth.
For gallery wall art that does not feel generic, a painted fine art canvas is hard to beat. It is a popular fine art oil painting pick for new homeowners and a durable alternative to seasonal poster art.
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 20 X 24 in | $98.48 |
| 24 X 36 in | $153.48 |
| 30 X 40 in | $197.48 |
| 36 X 48 in | $261.98 |
| 48 X 72 in | $506.48 |
The sizes shown are the reproduction canvas sizes we paint to order. The dimensions given in a work's description refer to the original artwork and will differ from the sizes offered here. Not sure? Read the size guide or e-mail us.
Free on orders over $60; a flat $5 below that. Dispatched in 1–2 business days; 30 days to send it back. Full policy.
Every canvas is painted by hand in oils on artist-grade stretched canvas, with an extra blank border left for framing. How to care for your painting.
Measurements are on the size guide, or e-mail [email protected] and we reply within one business day.
