“Hylas and the Nymphs” is an oil on canvas painting by John William Waterhouse, created in 1896. It is a mythological painting measuring 91 by 152 cm and currently resides in the Manchester Art Gallery in Manchester, UK. The artwork exemplifies the Romanticism movement, known for its emphasis on emotion, the sublime, and often a fascination with mythology.
The artwork portrays the moment in Greek mythology when Hylas, the young companion of Hercules, is seduced and abducted by water nymphs. Set amidst an idyllic and densely vegetated landscape, the painting focuses on a group of alluring nymphs in the water, gazing invitingly at Hylas, who is poised at the edge of their watery domain. Their ethereal beauty and the mysterious, dark pool create a scene that is both captivating and ominous. Each figure in the artwork is rendered with careful attention to detail, from the reflection in the water to the varying expressions of enchantment and intrigue on the faces of the nymphs. Waterhouse’s use of deep, rich colors and soft lighting contributes to the dream-like quality of the scene, while also highlighting the potential danger lurking beneath the seductive surface. This combination of beauty and narrative tension is characteristic of Waterhouse’s works and captures the essence of Romantic fascination with myth and nature.
