This painting is the third (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.
"Beauty often has an erotic undertone, but art can elevate erotic charm into a higher aesthetic." – Schopenhauer
For the third piece, the artist explores the concept of art’s ability to captivate and seduce. This painting is immediate and sensory, embracing the allure of form and color while resisting superficiality. Warmer hues and organic shapes hint at the human body, channeling Schopenhauer’s notion that beauty—especially in its erotic form—can be both a temptation and a pathway to deeper understanding.
Unlike the first two pieces, which either entangle or liberate the viewer from the Will, this work plays with its dual nature. It acknowledges the pleasure of aesthetic experience while reminding us of its impermanence. Yet, rather than being ephemeral or shallow, the piece seeks to elevate charm into something more profound, suggesting that even in the realm of desire, there is the potential for transcendence.
As with the previous paintings, the process itself becomes an act of philosophical inquiry. By working instinctively, the artist channels raw emotion into form, offering not just a visual experience but a fleeting moment of escape—an invitation to linger in beauty before being pulled back into the restless tide of the Will.
COURTESY OF PARALLEL FORM
COPYRIGHT © THE ARTIST
W. WATSON-WEST
‘Will’
100cm x 150cm
Acrylic on canvas
£2875