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Twilight
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
This work is a preparatory sketch in oil for a larger uncompleted painting.
The painting is one of several allegorical works produced by Evelyn on the theme of the elements. Twilight is defined as a light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon . Here we see the personification of daytim…
Venus and Cupid
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
Like many of Evelyn De Morgan’s early works this painting is inspired by mythology. Venus, the Roman Goddess of love and beauty is said to have sprung from the froth of the sea. However the sea shells represented here have a dual meaing as they also symbolise female fertility and sexual potency. Ven…
Evening Star over the Sea
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
The evening star is more commonly known as the planet Venus, which is often visible in the night sky at sunset. Venus is also the planet of love and frequently depicted in art as a beautiful woman. Evelyn often chose to personify elements such as the Moon, Mist and Stars not only reinforcing her…
Boreas and the Fallen Leaves
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
Boreas is the ancient Greek god of the north wind, and the most important of the four wind gods. He was winged and had two faces: one to see where he was going and one to see where he had come from. In this painting he is depicted swirling round a large gnarled tree, with the leaves depicted as maid…
Phosphorus and Hesperus
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
This painting inspired by Greek Mythology depicts the Morning star (Phosphorus) and the Evening star (Hesperus) and alludes to the circle of life. Phosphorus is rising, his torch held erect, heralding the morning which is lightening the sky behind him. In comparison Hesperuss evening starlight is f…
Demeter Mourning for Persephone
Artist: De Morgan, Evelyn
Demeter was the Greek goddess of the earth, particularly the fruits of the fields, and as normal she is represented here as the corn-goddess. Her hair is covered with ears of corn, from which poppies drop around her. Her daughter, Persephone was kidnapped by Hades and taken beneath the earth to his…
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…
