Evelyn De Morgan was an English artist. She was born in 1855 to an upper-class family in London. De Morgan is known for her colorful canvases filled with messages about feminism, spirituality, and the rejection of wealth and war, which ensured the timelessness of her work.
De Morgan was born into a prestigious family, with a long line of politicians on her patriarchal side and a direct line to nobility on her matriarchal side. In keeping with custom for a family of their stature, she was educated at home by private tutors. This meant she was taught with her brothers, which meant she was given access to a huge range of subjects that weren’t available to women at that time.
De Morgan would pursue an education in art but struggled to find an art school that aligned with her values. Until she found a suitable match at the Slade School of Art. She was one of the first three female artists to do so.
Her first exhibition was at the Grosvenor Gallery. This was the beginning of her professional art career, which she pursued for the rest of her days. The social issues she was concerned with always showed up in her work and keep it relevant today.
De Morgan’s work is incredibly detailed and anatomically accurate, but the painter was never making ‘art for art’s sake. There was always a narrative element underlying her complex compositions and realistic subjects.
Over her career, De Morgan became a commercially successful artist. This led to her holding a solo exhibition in 1906 and again in 1907. During this time, it was virtually unheard of for a female artist to hold a solo exhibition. Testament to the extent of her popularity throughout the art world.
Despite this, her work is somewhat unknown in public collections, thanks in part to her sister who made it her duty to personally collect all of De Morgan’s art.
1. Ariadne In Naxos
‘Ariadne in Naxos’ is an early work by Evelyn de Morgan, having been painted in 1877.
2. The Angel With The Serpent
‘The Angel with the Serpent’ was created in 1875 by Evelyn De Morgan in Romanticism style.
3. Mercury
‘Mercury’ was the messenger to the gods made in the year 1873 by Evelyn De Morgan in Romanticism style.
4. Night And Sleep
‘Night and Sleep’ is an 1878 painting by Evelyn De Morgan in Romanticism style.
5. Deianira
‘Deianira’ was created in 1878 by Evelyn De Morgan in Romanticism style.
6. Venus And Cupid
‘Venus and Cupid’ was created in 1878 by Evelyn De Morgan in Romanticism style.
7. Cadmus And Harmonia
‘Cadmus and Harmonia’ was created in 1877 by Evelyn De Morgan in Romanticism style.
8. The Martyr (Nazuraea)
‘The Martyr (Nazuraea)’ was created in 1880 by Evelyn De Morgan in Romanticism style.
9. By The Waters Of Babylon
‘By the Waters of Babylon’ was created in 1883 by Evelyn De Morgan in Romanticism style.
10. Love’s Passing
Evelyn painted ‘Love’s Passing’ shortly after meeting the older William De Morgan in the year 1884 in Romanticism style.
11. Luna
‘Luna’ was created in 1885 by Evelyn De Morgan in Romanticism style depicting the moon personified as a young woman with blond wavy hair.
12. Hope In A Prison Of Despair
‘Hope In A Prison Of Despair’ was made by Evelyn De Morgan in the year 1887 in Romanticism style.
13. Dryad
‘Dryad’ was created in 1885 by Evelyn De Morgan in Romanticism style.
14. The Soul’s Prison House
‘The Soul’s Prison House’ was created in 1888 by Evelyn De Morgan in Romanticism style.
15. Medea
‘Medea’, is an oil on canvas painting by the English artist, Evelyn De Morgan, from 1889 made in Romanticism style.