The artwork titled “Lamia and the Soldier,” created by John William Waterhouse in 1905, is an oil painting on canvas. This piece is associated with the Romanticism movement and falls under the genre of mythological painting. Currently, it is part of a private collection.
The artwork depicts an intimate moment between a soldier, clad in shining armor, and a serene, ethereal woman, presumably Lamia, who kneels before him. The soldier gazes tenderly at Lamia, as she gently holds his hand, her expression one of adoration and pleading. The setting is a forest, enveloped in the mystic and dim light, which enhances the romantic and otherworldly atmosphere of the scene. The foliage and the ground are rendered with intricate detail, and the color palette consists predominantly of earthy and muted tones, evoking a sense of mystery and enchantment that is characteristic of the Romanticism movement. The soldier’s armor juxtaposes with Lamia’s delicate, flowing gown, creating a contrast between strength and vulnerability, reality, and myth.