A Mermaid - John William Waterhouse
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Description
A haunting depiction of a mermaid combing her hair on a rocky shore, painted by John William Waterhouse in 1900.
John William Waterhouse completed this work in 1900, during the later period of his career. The painting depicts a mermaid perched upon a rocky shore, her long, auburn hair cascading down her back as she combs it with her fingers. Beside her sits a large shell containing pearls, a detail that suggests the treasures of the deep sea. The background features dark, towering cliffs and a narrow inlet, creating a sense of isolation and mystery.
Waterhouse was known for his interest in classical mythology and literary themes. His approach to the female figure often combined a sense of melancholy with a naturalistic rendering of the human form. The cool, muted tones of the sea and rock contrast with the warm, reddish hues of the subject's hair, drawing the viewer's eye directly to the mermaid. The brushwork is precise, capturing the texture of the scales on her tail and the wet, reflective quality of the shoreline.
This work is characteristic of the artist's fascination with the femme fatale archetype, a common motif in late nineteenth-century British art. Unlike some of his earlier, more decorative compositions, this piece focuses on the solitary nature of the mythological creature. The composition is balanced, with the verticality of the cliffs providing a frame for the seated figure. The painting remains a clear example of the artist's technical skill and his ability to translate ancient myths into visual narratives that feel grounded in a tangible, physical reality. It is a work that invites quiet observation of both the figure and the atmospheric environment surrounding her.
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Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
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Specific Features
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- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
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- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
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- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
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Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
A Mermaid - John William Waterhouse
Artist Biography
John William Waterhouse
He was born in Rome to English parents (both painters) and grew up surrounded by Italian art before moving to London as a child. He studied at the Royal Academy Schools and exhibited there from 1874 until his death in 1917. He was a Royal Academician, successful, respected, and thoroughly Victorian.
His technique is Pre-Raphaelite in spirit but Impressionist in handling. The early works are tighter, more archaeological, influenced by Alma-Tadema's classical scenes. The later paintings are looser, with broader brushwork and richer colour. The Lady of Shalott (1888) combines both: precise detail in the boat and tapestry, atmospheric softness in the trees and water.
He painted several versions of the same subjects. Two versions of The Lady of Shalott. Two of Ophelia. Multiple paintings of Circe. He returned to the same stories because the stories gave him what he needed: a beautiful woman in a dramatic landscape at a moment of transformation. The formula was reliable and the execution was consistently good.
He is sometimes grouped with the Pre-Raphaelites but was a generation younger than Rossetti, Millais, and Hunt. He was closer to the Aesthetic Movement and to late Victorian narrative painting. He is one of the most reproduced painters in the history of art prints, which would have pleased him.
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