Daphne was painted by William Jacob Baer in 1911.

Where can I see Daphne?

Daphne is held by Brooklyn Museum.

What movement is Daphne?

Daphne is associated with Art Nouveau.

Artwork

Daphne

William Jacob Baer , 1911

Daphne is an oil painting by the Art Nouveau artist William Jacob Baer. It dates from 1911 and is held in the collection of the Brooklyn Museum.

About this work

Overview

William Jacob Baer’s 1911 oil painting titled Daphne presents a solitary nude figure situated in an open landscape. The composition places the woman with her back to the viewer, arms folded across her chest, head lowered, amid tall grasses and distant trees. The work reflects Baer’s shift from miniature portraiture toward larger, more expressive canvases during the early twentieth century.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure, rendered in a vulnerable pose, suggests themes of modesty and retreat within nature. By positioning the subject away from the viewer, Baer invites contemplation of the relationship between the human body and its surrounding environment, echoing the Art Nouveau fascination with organic forms and the intertwining of figure and flora.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting employs a muted palette of greens, browns, and soft flesh tones. Baer’s handling of the medium emphasizes smooth, flowing contours that convey a gentle softness to the skin and landscape alike. Subtle gradations of light suggest a restrained chiaroscuro, modeling the form without dramatic contrast and reinforcing the work’s calm atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created during a period when Baer was expanding beyond his reputation as a miniature painter, Daphne entered the collection of the Brooklyn Museum, where it remains on view. The acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in early twentieth‑century American works that illustrate the transition from traditional portraiture to broader, decorative movements such as Art Nouveau.