Friday, December 7, 2007

Hylas and the Nymphs


The above picture is by John Waterhouse. It depicts Hylas, the companion of Heracles (depending on what author you listen to Heracles was Hylas’ father.) During a stop on the voyage of the Argo, he went in search of water and was seduced by nymphs and never seen again.

I really like this painting, so much so I have it over the head board of my bed. (I never thought about it till someone mentioned it but there is probably a deep-seated psychological reason for that choice.) Waterhouse has created a lush environment. The nymphs are clearly supernatural, three sets of twins, and none have areolae. The nymphs display many of the subtle psychological (and perhaps subconscious) cues that women use to attract men (playing with her hair, leaning the head to one side, touching the arm). Also note the difference in lighting, the nymphs are bright, Hylas is not. He is about to taken, never to be seen again.

It's really a beautiful and subtle work of art.

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