Artist. Born of a wealthy family who disapproved of his vocation of art, Godward was shy and reclusive, so very little is known of his life. A Victorian Classicist painter, he was a member of the so-called “Marble School,” followers of Lawrence Alma-Tadema whose work concentrated almost exclusively on Classical Grecian or Roman subjects, such as women in draping robes on marble terraces. He began exhibiting at the Royal Academy in 1887, and his work was greatly admired. However, by the beginning of the 20th century, Classicism was beginning to lose favour and the modernist movement was taking the art world by storm. Godward moved to Rome in 1912, but returned to England in 1919. Blasted by critics, unable to sell his work, and faced with declining health, Godward committed suicide in his studio by gassing himself at the age of 61. Allegedly, he left a note saying there wasn’t enough room for him and Picasso. Some of his most recognized works are “Dolce Far Niente,” “The Signal,” “Expectation,” and “On the Balcony.” (bio by: Kristen Conrad)