Ariadne1.0183

G.F. Watts, "Ariadne in Naxos," oil on canvas, 1875, Guildhall Art Gallery, London.

Watts engaged this same subject with much different perspectives across four decades — in 1863, 1875 (=1.0183), 1896 (=1.0184), and at other points in his career. Ariadne's abandonment is among the first mythological subjects Watts painted upon his formative visit to the Aegean in the early 1860s. Known as "England's Michelangelo", Watts' perspective of mythological narratives is rich and variegated. The 1894 Ariadne bears far greater visual affinity to the 1875 Ariadne than to the sketches of the 60s; the rippling drapery and posture of the abandoned girl still recall the painter's predilection for the Elgin Marbles. The 1894 Ariadne manifest some of the disshevelment called for in the Classical texts.

Mary Watts' catalogue (provided in PDF by Watts Gallery in Aug 2017) indicates that "On this canvas it seems likely that Mr. Watts made his first sketch of this subject. It was certainly taken up again and completed by him during 1893-4." ("notes" p. 7)