The artwork titled “Reclining River Nymph at the Fountain,” created by Lucas Cranach the Elder in 1518, is an exquisite oil painting on wood. Belonging to the Northern Renaissance art movement, the dimensions of the artwork are 59 by 92 cm. It is a mythological painting currently housed in the Museum der Bildenden Kunste in Leipzig, Germany.
The artwork depicts a serene scene of a nude nymph reclining beside a fountain in a lush, natural setting. The nymph’s alabaster skin contrasts strikingly with the dark, rich landscape that surrounds her. She lies on a red drapery, her gaze directed towards the viewer. The fountain behind her, adorned with a sculpted figure of a cherub, adds to the tranquil ambiance of the scene, with water gently spilling into a basin. The background reveals a majestic vista of distant mountains and castles, signifying a harmonious coexistence of nature and myth. The meticulous detailing of the foliage and rolling clouds above further exemplifies Cranach’s mastery in portraying natural elements.
