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The Cadence of Autumn
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
By 1905 Evelyn De Morgan was 50, she had lived through the Boer War and the outbreak of the First World War. It is therefore, perhaps no surprise that her thoughts become more and more preoccupied with the end of life and death.
The adoption of the four seasons to depict the life cycle is a well-re…
Portrait of William De Morgan
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
This is the earlier of two portraits of William De Morgan, painted by his wife Evelyn. According to the signature at the top right of the work, it was painted in Florence, in 1893.
In the painting, William is depicted in his blue artists robes against a tiled wall. He stares solemnly at the viewe…
Ariadne in Naxos
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
This is one of Evelyns earliest paintings, executed shortly after she left the Slade School of Art. It was also the first that she exhibited at the influential Grosvenor Gallery, in London. Like many of Evelyns earliest works, it is painted in a neo-classical style and is inspired by Greek mythol…
The Kingdom of Heaven Suffereth Violence and the Violent Take it by Force
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
This painting takes its title from the Gospel of St Matthew 11:12 and is an allegory of the journey of the soul from its earth-bound body, to the spirit world of the spheres.
At the base of the painting, all is sombre and grey. The human figures are stooped and in despair and the winged spirits app…
The Dryad
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
In Greek mythology dryads are mythological tree nymphs and protectors of the oak tree. Evelyn appears to have depicted a hamadryade, which is a type of nymph who is bonded to the tree itself. In this painting we can see the little nymph emerging from the tree, with her foot still hidden inside the t…
By the Waters of Babylon
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
Illustrates the Biblical story of the Exile of the Jews in Psalm 137:
“By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion.
On the willows there, we hung up our lyres
For there our captors required of us songs,
And our tormentors, mirth, saying Sing us one of the Songs of…
The Hourglass
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
Evelyn De Morgans sister Mrs Stirling wrote the following description in 1924:
In an ancient chair, inlaid with ivory, a woman is seen seated. Behind her on the wall are glowing tapestries; a gold lamp of medieval design is suspended above her head. Her draperies, in wonderful hues of yellow and r…
S.O.S.
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
Evelyn responded to the horror and futility of World War I with a series of works that attempted to come to terms with the conflict between good and evil. This painting takes its title from the then relatively new Morse code cry for help. The literal translation of the message (save our souls) also…
The Red Cross
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
The Red Cross is considered one of De Morgans most successful paintings on the theme of war. The painting shows the figure of the risen Christ being borne heavenward by a choir of angels. He is symbolically clad in red and his arms are extended in a posture meant to recall his crucifixion. Below hi…
Moonbeams Dipping Into the Sea
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
The personification of dusk and the moon was a recurring motif in Evelyns later works often against a calm seascape. In ancient lore the moon is associated with fertility and the cycle of life and is often portrayed by a triple goddess whose three incarnations are maiden, mother and crone.
Howe…
