what nationality was john william waterhouse
John William Waterhouse Biography John William Waterhouse (1849-1917) was a British pre-raphaelite painter, best known for his paintings of female characters from mythology and literature. He was born in Rome to William and Isabela Waterhouse, both painters themselves. When John was 5 years old the family moved to South Kensington near to the newly founded Victoria and Albert Museum. During his early years he studied under his father before entering the Royal Academy schools in 1870.