Boreas by Waterhouse

Boreas, painted by John William Waterhouse in 1903, is a representative work of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, which drew inspiration from mythology and classical literature to recreate scenes imbued with symbolism.

In this painting, John portrays a young woman caught by the north wind, personified by the Greek god Boreas, reflecting the artist’s fascination with capturing the power and beauty of nature and evoking the spirit of Claude Monet with his masterpiece "Woman with a Parasol. Madame Monet and Her Son". The female figure, dressed in flowing fabrics, appears to struggle against the wind, a characteristic feature of Waterhouse’s compositions, where women often occupy a central role in situations of vulnerability or emotional ecstasy.

The Pre-Raphaelite movement is characterized by its detailed execution, the use of vivid colors, and a narrative that connects the natural with the supernatural, all of which are evident in this painting. Moreover, the dynamism of the wind and its interaction with the landscape foreshadow the twentieth century’s artistic interest in movement and the perception of an ever-changing environment. With this work, Waterhouse continued his exploration of the female figure as a metaphor for forces beyond human control, a recurring theme throughout his artistic career.