{"product_id":"the-favourites-of-emperor-honorius-john-william-waterhouse","title":"The Favourites of Emperor Honorius - John William Waterhouse","description":"\u003cp\u003eA detailed historical genre painting by John William Waterhouse, depicting the Roman Emperor Honorius distracted by his pet birds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePainted in 1883, The Favourites of Emperor Honorius depicts the Roman Emperor Honorius, who reigned from 395 to 423 AD. The subject matter draws from historical accounts, specifically those of Procopius, which describe the Emperor as being more concerned with his pet poultry than the crumbling state of his empire. Waterhouse captures the monarch seated upon a throne, surrounded by birds, while a group of courtiers waits in the background, seemingly ignored by their ruler.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition is structured to contrast the stillness of the Emperor with the activity of the birds and the expectant posture of the visitors. Waterhouse employs a muted palette, dominated by the deep red of the imperial robes and the pale, architectural tones of the palace interior. The marble floor, rendered with precise perspective, leads the eye toward the throne. The artist pays close attention to the textures of the fabric, the feathers of the birds, and the architectural details of the Roman setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis work belongs to a period in Waterhouse's career when he focused on classical and historical themes. It demonstrates his technical skill in narrative painting, where the psychological state of the protagonist is conveyed through their interaction with their surroundings. The scene is not merely a depiction of a historical figure, but a commentary on the detachment of power. The inclusion of the incense burner and the banners adds to the atmosphere of a formal, yet stagnant, court. The painting remains a fine example of late nineteenth-century British academic art, reflecting the era's interest in the classical past and the meticulous execution of historical detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en-nz\/products\/a-sculpture-gallery-in-rome-at-the-time-of-agrippa-sir-lawrence-alma-tadema\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eA Sculpture Gallery in Rome at the Time of Agrippa - Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema by Lawrence Alma-Tadema\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en-nz\/products\/a-roman-emperor-sir-lawrence-alma-tadema\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eA Roman Emperor by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/en-nz\/collections\/john-william-waterhouse\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#2a555a;border:1px solid #2a555a;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#ffffff;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eJohn William Waterhouse prints →\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"John William Waterhouse","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59475884310863,"sku":null,"price":220.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59475884376399,"sku":null,"price":220.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59475884474703,"sku":null,"price":290.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":59475884507471,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":59475884573007,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/The-Favourites-of-Emperor-Honorius_Poster_CompositorV1_1794453234200.jpg?v=1794453450","url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.com\/en-nz\/products\/the-favourites-of-emperor-honorius-john-william-waterhouse","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}