{"title":"Travelogue","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eA series exploring the theme of travel and the captivating and unique experiences which the artist has encountered whilst visiting foreign countries.  Travel is a key subject which has informed periods of Watson's art throughout his forty year career.  Given his extensively catalogued reference library of sketches and photography, we can expect to be transported into wonderful dreamscapes spanning the globe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"two-officers-mykonos","title":"Two Officers, Mykonos","description":"\u003cp class=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eUnframed\u003cbr class=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e32 x 30 cm \/ 13 x 12 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFramed\u003cbr class=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e54 x 52 cm \/ 22 x 21 in  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOil on board \u003cbr class=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e2023\u003cbr class=\"\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSigned lower right\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA shadowed laneway opens to a crisp bright scene - two Greek officers, spot-lit as if on an outdoor summer theatre stage.  Appearing relaxed on day leave with time on their hands, they are the centre of attention of this dazzling and captivating new painting. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTwo Officers, Mykonos \u003c\/em\u003eis the first artwork in a new series titled TRAVELOGUE, exploring the theme of travel and visiting foreign countries, a subject which has informed periods of his art throughout Watson's forty year career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"I had seen the officers at the port in Athens standing before a nondescript grey building.  Back in my Melbourne studio I was excited by the prospect of relocating them to the centre of this scene, as I knew the block of ocean - a square shape within a square painting - was a perfect background\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e to provide a dramatic contrast to their white uniforms.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmploying an iconic Greek Island colour pallet where white and grey provide neutrality to the seductive translucent blues and aqua greens.  \u003cem\u003eTwo Officers, Mykonos \u003c\/em\u003eis a fine example of an intimate artwork which possesses a powerful strength through its eye-popping realism, simple and direct composition, and playful intrigue.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ross Watson Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43843841949850,"sku":"OOB-TwoOfficersMykonos","price":22000.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0051\/6381\/0927\/files\/TwoSoldiers_Mykonos_72db303d-ea29-4454-b036-4bdc9a6faa44.jpg?v=1693452597"},{"product_id":"sunbather-mykonos","title":"Sunbather, Mykonos","description":"\u003cp\u003eUnframed\u003cbr\u003e41 x 47 cm \/ 16 x 19 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFramed\u003cbr\u003e62 x 69 cm \/ 25 x 27 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOil on board\u003cbr\u003e2023\u003cbr\u003eSigned lower right\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA private collection, New York\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSunbather, Mykonos \u003c\/em\u003ewas inspired by the ancient Greek love poem written by Pindar, which was described by the scholar Magnus Hirschfeld as \"\u003cem\u003eone of the most perfect love songs in the Greek language.\u003c\/em\u003e\" Pindar tells how the son of Hagesilas could make him “\u003cem\u003emelt like the wax of holy bees stung by the sun’s heat.\u003c\/em\u003e\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvoking a still from a cinema screen, late afternoon light saturates this breathtaking and intriguing Greek scene, dominated by a handsome blonde sunbather who possesses the physique of a young Greek god.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWatson has masterfully created a compelling sense of tension and mystery within the painting's calm stillness. The shadow of a man wearing a baseball cap, with his arms crossed behind him faces the sunbather. The shadow is perhaps symbolic of a past lover, or admirer of the painting's central subject.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSet high overlooking the Aegean sea, this exceptional, superbly painted work illustrates a compelling and moving contemporary love story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailable for immediate release\u003cbr\u003ePrice is inclusive of complimentary global shipping and insurance.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ross Watson Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44022706929818,"sku":"OOB-SunbatherMykonos","price":33000.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0051\/6381\/0927\/files\/SunbatherMykonos.jpg?v=1698019254"},{"product_id":"backpacker-mykonos","title":"Backpacker, Mykonos","description":"\u003cp\u003eUnframed\u003cbr\u003e38 x 37 cm \/ 15 x 15 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFramed\u003cbr\u003e62 x 61cm \/ 25 x 24 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOil on board\u003cbr\u003e2023\u003cbr\u003eSigned lower left\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBackpacker, Mykonos\u003c\/em\u003e was inspired by one of Watson’s earliest visits to the Greek Island over thirty years ago. This year the artist re-discovered drawings and photographs from his travels at that time, which have been employed in the creation of this intimate and meditative painting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWatson met the model Anthony at the beach in Mykonos, and they spent several days together enjoying the popular Greek Island. The attractive young backpacker became the inspiration for several artworks produced in 1992, including Anthony, Mykonos.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA bell tower offers handsome though simple architectural details, and provides the setting for the sleeping backpacker, dramatically spotlit by the afternoon’s golden sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA carefully cropped scene features one diagonal wall line, which importantly, takes the viewer’s eye down to the central subject, or conversely up to the pristine blue Mediterranean sky in this superb painting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice is inclusive of complimentary global shipping and insurance.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ross Watson Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44128065978522,"sku":"OOB_BackpackerMykonos","price":30000.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0051\/6381\/0927\/files\/BackPacker_Mykonos.jpg?v=1700115497"},{"product_id":"vienna-in-june","title":"Vienna In June","description":"\u003cp\u003eUnframed\u003cbr\u003e61 x 55 cm \/ 24 x 22 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFramed\u003cbr\u003e83 x 77 cm \/ 33 x 30 in  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOil on board \u003cbr\u003e2024\u003cbr\u003eSigned lower right\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA much anticipated and breathtaking painting,\u003cem\u003eVienna in June, \u003c\/em\u003eis Ross Watson's first offering in almost four months.  Featuring his second depiction of the model Malek, here he is featured larger and full length. He first appeared in \u003cem\u003eSwimmer, 2021 \u003c\/em\u003eone of Watson's most popular artworks from the Diorama series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExploring Vienna last June, Watson's imagination was sparked by seeing a street display announcing a new Dior boutique on Kohlmarkt. \"\u003cem\u003eI was fascinated by the convincing three dimensionality of\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e the display, which was in fact flat, printed on plastic sheeting which created a temporary wall, behind which a new Dior boutique \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003ewas being built\u003c\/em\u003e.\" said Watson\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResembling a figure from one of Caravaggio's chiaroscuro masterpieces, a young man dominates the foreground, head tilted backwards and gripping swimming pool hand rails. He appears lost in the moment, basking in warm golden light. Behind him a moody shadow cast over the display wall fuels a dramatic and somewhat surreal scene.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWearing an orange and grey fluorescent uniform, a crossing guard directs traffic from a bright yellow zebra crossing, both offering a vital counterbalance in the overall composition.  Against the deep greys, the pistachio green colour of the swimwear is an ideal complimentary opposite of the bright orange and yellow in the painting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA horizontal line of irregular staples runs along the base of the display wall - the one clue the viewer is provided to indicate the 3-D effect is illusory. Classical painting traditions long practiced in Vienna, are evoked in the depiction of the glimpse of sky in this mesmerising and important new painting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailable for immediate release\u003cbr\u003ePrice is inclusive of complimentary global shipping and insurance.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ross Watson Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45246654972058,"sku":"OOB-ViennaInJune","price":42000.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0051\/6381\/0927\/files\/ViennainJune.jpg?v=1726632024"},{"product_id":"sunbather-hydra","title":"Sunbather, Hydra","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" style=\"color: #565656;\"\u003eUnframed \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e40 x 30 cm \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\/ 16 x 12 in\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003eFramed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e61 x 51 cm \/ 24 x 20 in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eOil on board \u003cbr class=\"\"\u003e2024\u003cbr class=\"\"\u003eSigned lower right\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" style=\"color: #606060;\"\u003eIdyllic and alluring,\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e inspired by the artist’s 2023 visit to Hydra, a beautiful and popular Greek Island, the painting is from the current \u003ci class=\"\"\u003eTravelogue\u003c\/i\u003e series.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"We were wandering aimlessly in Hydra, taking in the white-washed buildings, some marked by the vibrant colours of bougainvillea flowers, when the shaded lane opened up to a spectacular waterfront, distant mountains above deep blue sea, and a striking and mysterious staircase disappearing into a cloudless sky. I knew straight away it would be a wonderful painting subject and a perfect setting for a solitary sunbather.”\u003c\/em\u003e said Watson. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eLarger than life, and dominating the lower half of the artwork, the attractive blonde sunbather reclines, appearing seduced by the sunshine’s warmth.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eEmploying a simple yet powerful composition, where the diagonal line of the sea wall draws our eye to the very centre of the scene, providing a sense of open space and convincing depth of field of this striking oil painting.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrice is inclusive of complimentary global shipping and insurance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ross Watson Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45359005597850,"sku":"OOB-SunbatherHydra","price":25000.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0051\/6381\/0927\/files\/Sunbather_Hydra.jpg?v=1731908589"},{"product_id":"the-return-of-apollo-versailles","title":"The Return of Apollo, Versailles","description":"\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eUnframed \u003cbr class=\"\"\u003e70 x 56 cm \/ 28 x 22 in\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eFramed\u003cbr class=\"\"\u003e85 x 70 cm \/ 34 x 28 in \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eOil on board \u003cbr class=\"\"\u003e2025\u003cbr class=\"\"\u003eSigned lower left\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCurrently Available\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eFour months since the completion of Ross Watson's previous artwork, \u003cem class=\"\"\u003eRoman Holiday,\u003c\/em\u003e this eagerly awaited offering, \u003cem class=\"\"\u003eThe Return of Apollo, Versailles, \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003eis\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem class=\"\"\u003e \u003c\/em\u003ehis second painting completed in 2025, and\u003cem class=\"\"\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003eis\u003c\/span\u003e the sixth artwork from the current \u003cem class=\"\"\u003eTravelogue\u003c\/em\u003e series. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eSpring has arrived at the Palace of Versailles. Having spent the long winter undergoing restoration and gold gilding, an ornate sculpture of Apollo seated in his chariot surveys a sunbather below.  Or is the young man in fact Watson’s Apollo, given a swimming pool has replaced the fountain of which the gilded Apollo has resided for centuries?  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eWearing a half smile, the sunbather appears pleased with himself as he views the screen of his phone. Has he just viewed his photos of the gleaming Apollo hovering dramatically above, and is he conscious of the most important, complex and beautiful of Greek Gods, who \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003eafforded help and warded off evil?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"\" style=\"color: #565656; font-family: Century Gothic, Heiti SC, STHeiti, Avenir, Trebuchet MS, Arial, sans-serif;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003eWatson's internationally recognised blend of\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e classical, homoerotic and\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e contemporary themes, rendered in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003emeticulous detail, is evident in this captivating artwork. \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\" style=\"color: #444444;\"\u003e\u003cbr class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003eA superb \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003eFrench\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e circa:1850 Louis Phillipe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e water gilt\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003eripple\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e frame, in excellent condition with applied corners of flowers and pomegranates, completes this important and spectacular new painting. \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong class=\"\"\u003eAvailable for immediate release\u003cbr class=\"\"\u003ePrice is inclusive of complimentary global shipping and insurance.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ross Watson Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46736723247258,"sku":"OOB-TheReturnofApollo","price":45000.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0051\/6381\/0927\/files\/TheReturnofApollo_Versailles.jpg?v=1762231235"},{"product_id":"roman-holiday","title":"Roman Holiday","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eUnframed \u003cbr\u003e45 x 40 cm \/ 18 x 16 in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFramed\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e68 x 63 cm \/ 23 x 21 in\u003cbr\u003eOil on board\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSigned lower left\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDescription\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eVividly capturing an attractive young traveler relaxing by a swimming pool, the scene features Rome’s basilica church San Carlo al Corso from the Quirinal Hill and beautiful Parko della Villa Pia. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eAn arch of overhanging tree branches echoes the shape of the church dome, in still contrast to the playful movement of the superbly executed refections and distortions of the pool’s water. Employing a complimentary colour palette, salmon tones within the architecture provide a complimentary contrast to the cool greens, blues and lilac.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003eRome celebrates its 2778th birthday this year, and as for many artist’s and visitors, Watson has returned to the eternal city for artistic inspiration several times since 1981. Evoking carefree memories of European travel, the painting’s title references the iconic 1953 film starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eSunny, solitary and tranquil, this exceptional artwork instills a soothing calm, whilst  celebrating the pleasure of taking time out and new travel adventures.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ross Watson Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46736748806298,"sku":"OOB-RomanHoliday","price":35000.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0051\/6381\/0927\/files\/RomanHoliday_f70010b4-6ca8-47cc-9cf7-fa37c142a6fd.jpg?v=1747893532"}],"url":"https:\/\/sstore.rosswatson.com\/collections\/travalogue.oembed","provider":"Ross Watson Gallery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}