In the Victorian period it was believed that ivy drained the life from other plants and trees, and ultimately forced them to perish. Inspired by the view from a window at Limnerslease, Watts, aware of the parasitic connotations of ivy, used this composition as a social critique of the mercenary financiers and industrialists of the age, who amassed wealth by exploiting others.
1903
Oil on canvas
230.0 x 139.0cm
COMWG.135