Mrs Arthur Kenworthy (ca. 1899), by J.W. WaterhouseWaterhouse was not famous because of his portrait

Mrs Arthur Kenworthy (ca. 1899), by J.W. Waterhouse

Waterhouse was not famous because of his portraits, but towards the end of his life he painted more and more of them.  It is a first sign of the general public losing interest in his works.  His later paintings were sold at lower prices, so Waterhouse relied on commissions for extra income.  The appointed portraits however needed to resemble the sitter, whereas Waterhouse preferred to show his ideals of female beauty on the canvas.

This is the portrait of his wife’s sister in law: Louise. She was married to Arthur Kenworthy. Whether it was painted as a gift or for a commission is not known.

In 1900, Esther and John William Waterhouse moved from the studio on Primrose Hill to 10, Hall Road in St. John’s Wood in the City of Westminster.  It was the former home of the sculptor and co-member of the Art Workers Guild: Harry Bates, who had died in 1899.