If we were to imagine an artwork that seeks to symbolise the concept of “Hope” - perhaps we would imagine a painting of a rainbow, or of sunlight breaking though storm clouds, or of people coming together as a community, either to celebrate the beauty of life, or to pray for better days.
I found this print at a local antique shop in Texas and that lead me to finding out all I could about Watts and eventually taking a pilgrimage to visit his studio and Gallery soon after it was restored and opened in 2016. If you ever get a chance, it’s a wonderful place to visit and so is Watts Cemetery Chapel down the road. It is glorious and was designed by artist, Mary Fraser Tytler, who became Watts wife.
I can’t thank you enough for crafting these daily art history missives. They are such a bright spot. Hope made me audibly sigh, it is a fitting title for Watt’s painting.
Looking at all four together is how much the background does the arguing. The same figure, the same broken instrument — but move her from teal to ochre to haze to that bottom-right dissolution, and the emotional register shifts completely. Watts seems to be asking: at what point does the painting stop being about hope and become about its absence? The bottom right version comes closest to that edge.
This reminds me of my previous Buddhist teacher who was tempted ( in jest) to have above the door to the monastery ‘abandon hope all ye who enter’ Because hope usually alludes to an expectation of something happening in the future that we prefer, and this stops us being with what is. Tough love!
Thank you for including his variations. I love seeing how the same composition can be presented in a variety of powerful ways. Sometimes I do this with a subject.
Thank you George, for your sensitive and honest reflections on the nature of human existence, as suggested by this affecting painting. Both your comments and Watt's painting moved me. Human hope is a powerful and precious thing.
Thank you. Yesterday, I was reading a piece which quotes a Palestinian living in Gaza describing Hope as resistance to the unacceptable while choosing Love
I found this print at a local antique shop in Texas and that lead me to finding out all I could about Watts and eventually taking a pilgrimage to visit his studio and Gallery soon after it was restored and opened in 2016. If you ever get a chance, it’s a wonderful place to visit and so is Watts Cemetery Chapel down the road. It is glorious and was designed by artist, Mary Fraser Tytler, who became Watts wife.
That's really cool to know. How great that you made the full pilgrimage to the gallery too. It's definitely somewhere I'd be keen to visit.
I can’t thank you enough for crafting these daily art history missives. They are such a bright spot. Hope made me audibly sigh, it is a fitting title for Watt’s painting.
That really means a lot to know, Grace. Thank you for your support.
Looking at all four together is how much the background does the arguing. The same figure, the same broken instrument — but move her from teal to ochre to haze to that bottom-right dissolution, and the emotional register shifts completely. Watts seems to be asking: at what point does the painting stop being about hope and become about its absence? The bottom right version comes closest to that edge.
That's such a brilliant observation, Birgit.
This reminds me of my previous Buddhist teacher who was tempted ( in jest) to have above the door to the monastery ‘abandon hope all ye who enter’ Because hope usually alludes to an expectation of something happening in the future that we prefer, and this stops us being with what is. Tough love!
Oh wow - I can definitely appreciate their sense of humour on that! It actually makes a lot of sense in that tough love way.
Very interesting. I believe I prefer the color of the original, but I also like the one with the subtle halo behind the figure.
This image of Hope is so appropriate.
Could it be that the blindfold represents "blind hope"?
That’s a really good interpretation.
When Pandora's box was opened all the vices were released except one, Hope, which ended up being closed back inside.
So glad you mentioned this. It's a brilliant link to make.
Another amazing story to uplift our day !!!!!!
Thank you!
Glad to know you enjoyed it.
These are all amazing.
Thank you for including his variations. I love seeing how the same composition can be presented in a variety of powerful ways. Sometimes I do this with a subject.
This is one of my favorite paintings. So simple yet it expresses so much.
Thank you George, for your sensitive and honest reflections on the nature of human existence, as suggested by this affecting painting. Both your comments and Watt's painting moved me. Human hope is a powerful and precious thing.
Beautiful painting as well as writing
Love this work! 💛
Thank you. Yesterday, I was reading a piece which quotes a Palestinian living in Gaza describing Hope as resistance to the unacceptable while choosing Love