The Dawn of Love
William Etty·1828
Historical Context
The Dawn of Love, painted in 1828 and now in the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery in Bournemouth, depicts an allegorical scene of awakening romance rendered with Etty's characteristic warm, Venetian-influenced palette. The painting dates from a productive period following his election as a Royal Academician, when his reputation was at its height and his mature style was fully developed. The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery, housed in an elaborate cliff-top house overlooking the English Channel, preserves the Victorian collection assembled by Sir Merton Russell-Cotes and his wife Annie, whose eclectic taste embraced British and European art spanning several centuries and reflecting the confident cultural appetite of the late Victorian era.
Technical Analysis
Etty's luminous flesh tones and warm, golden palette create a vision of idealized beauty characteristic of his mature style. The careful modeling of the figure demonstrates the skill acquired through decades of dedicated life drawing.
Look Closer
- ◆Notice the luminous flesh tones and warm, golden palette creating a vision of idealized beauty in this allegorical scene of awakening romance.
- ◆Look at the careful modeling of the figure acquired through decades of dedicated life drawing at the Royal Academy.
- ◆Observe the 1828 Russell-Cotes Art Gallery painting dating from a productive period following Etty's election as a Royal Academician.
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