The artwork titled “Psamathe” was created by Frederic Leighton around the year 1880 in the United Kingdom. Executed in oil on canvas, this piece falls within the Academicism art movement and exemplifies a mythological painting genre.
The artwork portrays a serene scene of Psamathe, depicted as a nude figure seated by the sea, her back turned to the viewer. The composition emphasizes her red hair elegantly coiffed and the gentle drapery of a white cloth that partially covers her lower body. The vast expanse of the sea stretches out before her, meeting the horizon under a softly lit sky that exudes tranquility. The detailed rendering and classical style are characteristic of Academicism, highlighting idealized beauty and a sense of timeless mythology. The scene evokes a profound sense of calm and natural harmony, epitomizing the finely balanced aesthetics prominent in Leighton’s body of work.