1906
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Narcissus is a 1906 ink by Aegidius Sadeler II, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a dramatic scene with a man lying half-submerged in water, reaching toward his own reflection. Around him, a winged figure points at him with a bow drawn, while other figures—some human, some animal—watch or pull him down. The dark, swirling water and tangled plants fill the background, making the scene feel chaotic and heavy. The man’s face is turned away, but his hand stretches toward the water’s surface, as if trying to touch something just out of reach. The mix of human and mythical creatures suggests this isn’t just a regular scene—it’s a story with deeper meaning. If you like this style, look up etching to see how artists use acid and metal plates to create these detailed, textured prints.
Aegidius Sadeler or Aegidius Sadeler II (1570–1629) was a Flemish engraver who was principally active at the Prague court of Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor and his successors.
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