CASIO4AU Arnold Böcklin (1827-1901)

The canvas presents a figure that blends human and aquatic characteristics, reclining upon a roughly hewn wooden structure seemingly afloat on water. The upper portion of the being exhibits features reminiscent of a young woman: long, flowing red hair cascades around her shoulders, framing a face marked by an expression of melancholy or perhaps resignation. Her skin appears pale against the darker tones surrounding her. One arm is extended towards the viewer, as if in a gesture of offering or supplication.
Below the waist, the figure transitions into a scaled tail, indicative of a mermaid or similar mythical creature. The texture and coloration of the scales are rendered with considerable detail, suggesting an attempt to ground this fantastical being within a semblance of realism. The wooden platform upon which she rests is similarly detailed, its rough surface contrasting with the smoothness of her skin and the fluidity of her tail.
A group of birds – likely gulls or terns – perch on the upper edge of the structure, their dark forms providing a visual counterpoint to the figure’s pale complexion. Their presence introduces an element of observation, as if they are witnesses to this solitary scene.
The background is dominated by muted blues and greens, evoking the atmosphere of a twilight sea or a misty shoreline. The water itself appears calm, reflecting the form of the creature and the platform above, creating a sense of stillness and isolation. A subtle suggestion of a distant horizon line hints at an expansive, yet inaccessible, world beyond.
The painting’s subtexts revolve around themes of longing, solitude, and the liminal space between worlds. The mermaids expression suggests a deep sadness or yearning for something unattainable. Her hybrid nature implies a state of being caught between two realms – the human and the aquatic – unable to fully belong to either. The birds could be interpreted as symbols of freedom or detachment, observing her plight from a distance. Overall, the work conveys a sense of quiet tragedy and an exploration of the boundaries between reality and myth.