The artwork, titled “Echo and Narcissus,” was created by John William Waterhouse in 1903. It is an oil painting on canvas, belonging to the Romanticism movement, and measures 236 x 107.5 cm. This literary painting is currently housed in the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, UK.
“Echo and Narcissus” presents a poignant scene from Greek mythology. The composition depicts the nymph Echo, woefully observing Narcissus, who is entranced by his own reflection in a pool. Echo, positioned on the left, is shouldered by the trunk of a tree, her expression a mixture of longing and sorrow as she gazes at Narcissus. She is partially draped in a soft, pink garment. Narcissus, on the right, kneels at the water’s edge, his gaze fixated upon his mirrored image. He is adorned with a crown of leaves and draped in a red cloth. The setting is a serene, lush forest near a quietly flowing stream, enhancing the overall melancholic and introspective tone of the artwork. The use of realistic detail and subdued color palettes emphasize the tragic narrative, encapsulating the essence of Romanticism.