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Outside the Gate of Pompeii - John William Godward - Hallway Wall Art is part of our hand painted oil painting collection from the John William Godward Paintings selection. Each canvas is worked by a trained artist, then inspected before dispatch — a practical route to owning classic wall decor at a fraction of gallery pricing.
1905
Oil on canvas
This ambitious multifigured picture has more figures painted into it than any other Godward oil. It is also the only known cityscape painted by the artist who usually confined himself to the solitary person, usually a beautiful Greco-Roman woman. Outside the Gate of Pompeii was probably Godward’s first canvas to be painted after his initial trip to Italy in late 1904 or early 1905. The artist’s family believed that he lived in Capri, not Rome. His sister Nin (Mary Frederica) noted on several occasions that he lived in or near Naples. This would account for the abundance of material relating to Ischia, Capri near Sorrento and Pompeii.
Outside the Gate of Pompeii proclaims the profound effect that Pompeii had on the artist. It is almost a souvenir of his trip to this ancient city. He was undoubtedly overwhelmed by the streets, tombs, houses and temples of this time-capsule of a city. Once Godward had finally settled into his work he resumed his standard painting methods and motifs with a greater maturity and sophistication. Godward returned to his 410 Fulham Road address in London, probably toward the end of 1905, but his Italian experience left an indelible mark upon his consciousness and lured him to move to Rome in 1911.
On the left of the painting is seen only the second elderly man in the artist’s oeuvre (the other being Eighty and Eighteen of 1898). He sits on a marble exedra seat watching pigeons. On the lower left sitting on the curb of the street is a beautiful flower seller in rosy-hued toga and crimson stola, adjusting her sandal. In the central foreground is a young mother in red dress and purple tunic holding a fan and the hand of her daughter. The child is dressed in greed and holds a large flowering oleander stem and seems to be engaged with the flower seller.
The setting for Godward's painting was based upon surviving archaelogical remains at Pompeii. The road is that leading from the forum to the Villa dei Misteri on the outskirts of the city, which is lined with family tombs. At the top of this street was a triumphal arch similar to the one depicted by Godward and the half-moon-shaped exedra with lion-leg decoration still survives.
We are grateful to Vern Swanson for his assistance with the cataloguing of this lot which will be included in his forthcoming monograph.
As hallway wall art, the piece pairs naturally with other classic wall art and with warm neutrals, timber, and soft natural light.
Expect subtle, hand-made variation rather than factory uniformity. Each fine art canvas is painted with oils, allowed to cure properly, and inspected before it is approved for shipment.
Wondering where fine art oil painting looks best? Try a hallway mantel, a dining room sideboard, or a hallway gallery wall. The fine art subject reads clearly from a distance and rewards close viewing up near.
Order Outside the Gate of Pompeii as a hand painted oil painting on canvas and add lasting classic character to your hallway. Custom sizes, a digital proof before dispatch, and secure worldwide shipping are included.
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 30 X 40 in | $278.98 |
| 36 X 48 in | $369.48 |
| 48 X 72 in | $702.98 |
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.
