The artwork, titled “The Charmer,” was created by artist John William Waterhouse in 1911. Executed using oil on canvas, this piece falls within the Romanticism movement and is categorized as an allegorical painting.
In the artwork, a young woman is depicted seated by a serene body of water, her bare feet hovering just above the surface, which teems with fish. Clad in a flowing, elaborately patterned garment that accentuates the Romanticism style, she plays a lyre—a Classical symbol of musical enchantment. Her focused expression and delicate handling of the instrument suggest that she is captivating the fish and possibly other unseen elements with her music. The surrounding environment, lush with greenery and intricate details, forms a tranquil backdrop that complements the central theme of enchantment and allure. The composition and setting, rich in symbolism, underscore the allegorical nature of the painting.