The artwork “Narcissus and the nymph Echo. Etude” by Zinaida Serebriakova, produced between 1916 and 1917, belongs to the Symbolism art movement. This mythological painting captures a pivotal moment involving the figures of Narcissus and Echo from classical mythology.
In the artwork, the artist employs a delicate yet expressive palette, emphasizing shades of blue and warm tones. The scene portrays a nude female figure, likely the nymph Echo, in a dramatic pose. Her body is partially reclined, with one leg slightly bent and the other extended, reflecting both vulnerability and grace. Echo’s arm is extended towards the right side, her hand outstretched as if reaching out. The background exudes an ethereal, dream-like quality, made up of fluid, abstract brushstrokes that suggest the presence of a forest or natural landscape. The composition captures a sense of longing and melancholy, inherent in the myth of Narcissus and Echo.
