John William Godward (4)
John William Godward was the ultimate “draped-in-marble” artist of the Victorian era, spending his career painting beautiful women who looked as if they’d just stepped out of a classical myth, albeit with a very modern twist—perfectly coiffed hair and elegant poses that wouldn’t look out of place at a high-society garden party. His paintings were like a spa day in ancient Greece, where the only stress was deciding which shade of purple your toga should be. While other artists were busy experimenting with color and brushstrokes, Godward was happily locked in a time machine of his own making, transporting us all to an idealized past where everything was just a little too perfect.
Unfortunately, this love affair with the Classical world didn’t exactly age like fine wine. As the world moved on to Impressionism and abstraction, Godward stuck to what he knew best: luxuriously clothed women gazing off into the distance, possibly wondering if their marble columns would ever get the recognition they deserved. Still, there’s something charming about his work, as if Godward was trying to make sure no one ever forgot how lovely the Victorians thought beauty and leisure should look—no messy brushstrokes here, just smooth, perfect surfaces. And while the world may have left him behind in the art world’s race to modernity, there’s no doubt Godward’s paintings remain the visual equivalent of a luxurious vacation… if your idea of vacation is endless lounging in a toga.
