THE HUNTINGTON ART COLLECTIONS NEWEST ACQUISITION FUSELI's "THE THREE WITCHES " or "THE WEIRD SISTERS"

A longstanding goal of The Huntington Art Gallery had been to obtain one of the most celebrated and provocative artworks of the 18th-century British masters. This desire was realized when they acquired Anglo-Swiss painter Henry Fuseli’s full-size study of The Three Witches or The Weird Sisters. This masterpiece has been in private hands since its creation around 1782 and has been available for public view since Oct. 11, 2014 at The Huntington Art Gallery. This stunning artwork can currently be studied and appreciated at the original Beaux Arts Mansion built by Henry and Arabella Huntington in 1911 on their 120 acre estate. The dramatic intrigue and ultimate suspense filled artwork is powerful as it illuminates the defining moment in Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth when the demonic trio foretells his fate.

The artist who mastered The Three Witches, Fuseli, a Swiss born, trained minister, draftsman and writer on art, moved to London in the 1760s. He held the posts of Professor of Painting and Keeper at the Royal Academy. His style had a considerable influence on many younger British artists; including William Blake. He worked as a critic and translator where he ingratiated himself with the city’s educated, elite and cultural social circles. Fuseli lived in Rome from 1770 to 1778 where he studied who he thought to be an inspired genius, the artist Michelangelo, considered the leading High Renaissance artist. Many consider Fuseli to be the greatest artist of the western world ever. During the time he lived in Rome, he earned the reputation of being a “mad genius” from an international circle of artists he aligned himself with. After returning to London in the 1780s his eccentric style and reputation clearly established him as a major influence in the artistic community. He was theatrical, eccentric, expressive, a visionary who often portrayed his subjects in obscure, supernatural muscular images.

The breathtaking work of this brilliant 18th century British artist can now be enjoyed by scholars, students, and the public within the world-famous collection at The Huntington Art Gallery. The Three Witches by Henry Fuseli joins other notable artists and their works such as Thomas Gainsborough’s The Blue Boy,andThomas Lawrence’s Pinkie, and works by visionary artist William Blake.

Additional information regarding THhe Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens and New Education and Visitor Center, can be found at Huntington.org

The Three Witches can be located at http://huntingtonblogs.org/2014/10/a-magic-brew/