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Ila e le ninfe (Hylas and the Nymphs)

Adolfo De Carolis

1916

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Early Modern

Dominant colour

Ila e le ninfe (Hylas and the Nymphs) is a 1916 ink by Adolfo De Carolis, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Adolfo De Carolis
When & what style?: 1916
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This print shows a young man bending over a pool, reaching toward water. Around him, swirling lines in teal and black create waves and movement. His body is half-lit, while the water and nymphs behind him blend into dark, tangled shapes. The artist used layers of ink to build up shadows and light, giving the scene a textured, almost sculpted look. The title hints at a myth where nymphs drag a boy into the water. Next, look up woodcut to see how this printmaking method works.