George Frederic Watts was born in 1817, the son of a London musical instrument manufacturer.[2] His two brothers died in 1823, and his mother in 1826, giving Watts an obsession with death throughout his life.[2] Watts was apprenticed as a sculptor at the age of 10, and by his mid-teens was proficient enough as an artist to be earning a living as a portrait painter.[3] At the age of 18 he gained admission to the Royal Academy schools, although he disliked their methods and his attendance was intermittent.[4] From 1837, Watts was successful enough to devote himself full-time to painting.[5]