This painting is the second (of three) from a series influenced by the writings of Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860), a German philosopher whose work explored the nature of human existence, suffering, and the transformative power of art. In his major work, ‘The World as Will and Representation’ , Schopenhauer argued that reality is driven by a blind, ceaseless force he called the Will—an unconscious striving that underlies everything in the world, from nature to human desire. According to him, life is defined by an endless cycle of craving and dissatisfaction: we suffer when we do not have what we want, and even when we do, satisfaction is fleeting before new desires take hold. However, Schopenhauer also saw a temporary escape from this suffering: aesthetic experience. Through art, music, and contemplation, we can detach from our personal desires and glimpse a deeper, more timeless reality. In these moments, we are no longer slaves to the Will but become pure observers, absorbed in beauty for its own sake. In this series, William Watson-West explores Schopenhauer’s vision through three interconnected themes: Will, Aesthetics, and The Charming. Taken together, these works invite the viewer on a journey—one that mirrors our own struggles with longing, fulfillment, and the search for something beyond the cycle of wanting. Whether or not we accept Schopenhauer’s bleak view of existence, his belief in the power of art remains strikingly relevant: that through deep engagement with beauty, we may momentarily step outside ourselves and experience the world in a new and profound way.
All the miseries of willing… are calmed and appeased.
– Schopenhauer
Where the first painting represents struggle and unrest, this second piece offers an antidote: aesthetic contemplation. Schopenhauer saw art as a temporary escape from suffering, allowing us to experience the world without the distortions of desire. To achieve this, the artist creates a sense of fluidity and serenity, painting in a near-meditative state. Dominated by shades of blue, the piece evokes calmness, with light and translucency mimicking the reflections on water or the magic of a waterfall. Inspired by Schopenhauer’s view that “light is the pleasantest and most gladdening of things, ” the painting uses luminosity to guide the viewer into a moment of stillness. Unlike the first work, this painting does not challenge but absorbs. It invites the viewer to lose themselves in its depths, offering a rare respite from the demands of the Will. Through its composition and execution, it embodies the very essence of aesthetics—a pure representation of form beyond function, where the intellect is free from its usual servitude to desire.
COURTESY OF PARALLEL FORM
COPYRIGHT © THE ARTIST
W. WATSON-WEST
‘Will’
100cm x 150cm
Acrylic on canvas
£2875