Artwork: The Water Sprite

Artist: Ernst Abraham Josephson (1851-1906)

Created: 1882

Medium: Oil on canvas

Dimensions: canvas

Dimensions: Height: 146.5 x 114 cm

Location: Nationalmuseum, Stockholm, Sweden

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“The Water Sprite, also known as Näcken, Ernst Josephson (1851-1906)combined Nordic folklore with Renaissance painting and the French Symbolism of the late nineteenth century. In ancient Nordic tales, Näcken was a destructive spirit who wandered through wild wetlands, playing music on his fiddle, and, sirenlike, lured people to their deaths. The sprite therefore symbolizes the hidden dangers in nature, but Näcken’s story also functioned as a personal allegory for Josephson’s own sense of isolation. The artist’s skillful and sensual use of color is evident in this painting: the bright, wet green of the sprite’s long hair and the reeds in which he kneels are balanced by patches of a complementary red, such as on the violin, rocks, and the spit’s lips. The loose, multidimensional brushstrokes bring to life the turbulent, rushing water, creating a melancholy yet angry and energetic mood.”(KM)

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