Artwork
The Startled Nymphs
The Startled Nymphs is an unspecified painting by the Symbolist artist Louis Eilshemius. It dates from 1914 and is held in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
About this work
Overview
The Startled Nymphs is a 1914 painting by Louis Eilshemius, a multifaceted artist who worked across various mediums, including visual art, literature, and music.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts two female figures, likely nymphs, by a lake, one kneeling in the water and the other standing on the shore holding a stick, set against a landscape with trees, hills, and a dark sky.
Technique & Style
Eilshemius employed bold contrasts between light and shadow, using chiaroscuro to make the women's figures stand out against the dimmer landscape, characteristic of his dreamlike style within the Symbolist movement.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Louis Michel Eilshemius (February 4, 1864 – December 29, 1941) was an American painter, primarily of landscapes and nudes. He also wrote musical compositions, verse, novels, short stories, and published periodicals.
