 Etty was prolific and commercially successful throughout the 1840s , but the quality of his work deteriorated throughout this period . As his health progressively worsened he retired to York in 1848 . He died in 1849 , shortly after a major retrospective exhibition . In the immediate aftermath of his death his works became highly collectable and sold for large sums . Changing tastes meant his work later fell out of fashion , and imitators soon abandoned his style . By the end of the 19th century the value of all of his works had fallen below their original prices , and outside his native York he remained little known throughout the 20th century . Etty 's inclusion in Tate Britain 's landmark Exposed : The Victorian Nude exhibition in 2001 – 02 , the high @-@ profile restoration of his The Sirens and Ulysses in 2010 and a major retrospective of his work at the York Art Gallery in 2011 – 12 led to renewed interest in his work . 
