John William Waterhouse, R.A. (1849-1917)

The Mermaid

细节

John William Waterhouse, R.A. (1849-1917)
The Mermaid
signed and dated 'J. W. Waterhouse/1892' (lower left) and signed and inscribed 'THE MERMAID/J. W. WATERHOUSE, R.A.' (on the stretcher)
oil on canvas
13 1/8 x 7¾ in. (33.5 x 19.5 cm.)

来源

Mrs. Herbert Young; Christie's, 29 June 1925, lot 111 (7 gns. to Sampson).
W.W. Sampson, Christie's, 4 April 1930, lot 182 (6½ gns. to Wadham).
With Louise Whitford, London.

出版

Anthony Hobson, J. W. Waterhouse, 1989, p. 77, pl. 54.

拍品专文

This evocative sketch, executed in 1892, anticipates Waterhouse's Diploma work of the same title which was finished in 1900 and exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1901, no. 138 (see Hobson, op. cit., pl. 103). Although Waterhouse was elected R.A. in 1895, ideas concerning the final composition of the picture evidently took time to germinate. Indeed he was criticised for taking so long to deposit his Diploma work. Both versions show one of Waterhouse's favourite models, seated and combing her long strands of lustrous red hair free of salt spray. In the later version, the Mermaid is about to string her hair with pearls.