In 1885 John became an Associate of the Royal Academy and a full Academician in 1895. He lived a quiet happily married life.
During the 1880's and '90s his reputation rivalled even that of Leighton and Burne-Jones.
His most productive years were spent at his Primrose Hill Studios in London, where he continued to paint haunting compositions of young, waif-like models until his death in 1917.
~ The Lady of Shallot ~
Featured on Antique Trails home page quite some time ago, was Waterhouse's first major picture in Pre-Raphaelite style. Inspired by the ballad of Alfred, Lord Tennyson and a favorite subject of artists of his era, he was to paint three pictures of this tragic beauty.
Identified as Elaine, the Fair Maid of Astolat, the ballad by Alfred, Lord Tennyson portrays the Lady of Shallot as a mysterious maiden who dwells in a tower, alone and unseen, on an island in a river that flows down to Camelot. Bound by a curse, she passes her days weaving into a tapestry the sights of Camelot that she glimpses in a mirror that hangs before her. When the gallant knight, Sir Lancelot, flashes into the crystal mirror, she breaks the thread of her tapestry and leaves the loom as the call of love comes upon her.
At the rivers edge, she finds a moored boat and writes "The Lady of Shallot" upon its prow. Lying herself down she allows the broad river to carry her vessel to Camelot. Before she reaches the shore, her life ebbs away. The people of Camelot are shocked by the appearance of her lifeless body on their shores, but Sir Lancelot is moved by her beauty and asks God to look with grace upon her.
