George Frederic Watts (1817–1904) was an English painter and sculptor who was a driving force in the transition from Victorian romanticism to Symbolism. Early in his career, he was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelites, including his friend Dante Gabriel Rossetti, adopting their detailed and refined realism. Over time, Watts moved toward more symbolic and mystical imagery, focusing on themes of life and mortality. His later works show the influence of Venetian masters like Titian, with a softer, more atmospheric style.