Listen listen said the mermaid to the prince Henry Justice Ford (1860-1941)

The composition presents a submerged scene, dominated by a languid figure of a mermaid and a fallen prince. The mermaid, with flowing auburn hair cascading around her shoulders, occupies the left portion of the frame. Her upper body is positioned above water level, while her scaled tail extends downwards into the depths. She leans towards the prince, her posture suggesting an intimate communication or perhaps a plea.
The prince lies prone in the foreground, his armor partially dislodged and revealing flesh beneath. His head rests near the mermaid’s torso, and one arm is extended upwards as if reaching for something beyond his grasp. The overall impression is of vulnerability and helplessness; he appears unconscious or incapacitated.
Surrounding them is a dense underwater environment rendered with swirling blues, greens, and browns. Aquatic plants intertwine around the figures, creating an atmosphere of both beauty and confinement. Several fish are visible in the upper portion of the scene, adding to the sense of being immersed within a marine ecosystem. The light source appears diffused, emanating from above and illuminating the subjects with a soft, ethereal glow.
The inscription at the bottom, Listen listen said the mermaid to the prince, provides a crucial narrative element. It implies that the scene is not merely observational but captures a moment of dialogue or attempted connection between these two figures. The subtext suggests themes of enchantment, peril, and perhaps forbidden love. The prince’s vulnerability positions him as reliant on the mermaids intervention, while her posture conveys a sense of urgency or concern.
The artist utilizes a Pre-Raphaelite aesthetic, evident in the detailed rendering of textures – the scales of the mermaid, the folds of the prince’s armor, and the intricate patterns of the underwater foliage. The color palette is rich and evocative, contributing to the dreamlike quality of the scene. Ultimately, the work explores the intersection of human and mythical realms, hinting at a narrative steeped in folklore and romantic longing.