The Toilet 1889

John William Waterhouse painted "The Toilet", of uncertain date, in oil on canvas. Waterhouse belonged to the later Pre-Raphaelites, an artistic brotherhood fascinated by the medieval period and ancient myths. This painting presents a scene of intimate, domestic femininity, reminiscent of classical art. It's a moment of preparation and adornment, staged in what appears to be an idealized ancient setting. The title, "The Toilet", refers to the act of personal grooming, reflecting Victorian society's complex relationship with beauty, privacy, and the female body. Waterhouse here draws on the artistic traditions of representing women in both the domestic and public spheres. His artistic choices reflect the institutional norms of academic painting, while also tapping into a progressive interest in female subjectivity. To understand this work more fully, one could consult catalogues, period magazines, and social histories of Victorian England. The role of the historian is to unpack the layers of meaning embedded in the painting. "The Toilet" reveals not only the artist's vision but also the values and preoccupations of the society in which it was created.