Fine Art Poster
From $29
A giclée print on 200gsm matte fine art paper, using a twelve-colour process for accurate, fade-resistant colour. Supplied unframed, delivered flat or rolled.
Narcissus - Godfried Schalcken
Regular price
$29.00 USD
Sale price
$29.00 USD
Regular price
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
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Made to order
Description
A refined mythological study by Dutch Golden Age painter Godfried Schalcken, capturing the moment Narcissus gazes into his own reflection.
Godfried Schalcken, a pupil of Samuel van Hoogstraten and later Gerrit Dou, is recognised for his mastery of light and shadow. This painting depicts the classical myth of Narcissus, the youth who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. Schalcken departs from the typical focus on the youth's vanity, instead concentrating on the atmospheric quality of the scene and the interplay between the figure and the surrounding environment.
The composition is defined by a soft, directional light that illuminates the figure of Narcissus, casting the background into deep shadow. The artist employs a refined technique to render the textures of the skin, the fabric of the drapery, and the stillness of the water. The reflection in the pool is handled with a subtle touch, suggesting the surface tension of the water while maintaining the clarity of the image beneath. Schalcken's interest in the effects of light is evident in the way the illumination catches the contours of the body and the folds of the cloth, creating a sense of volume and physical presence.
Unlike many of his contemporaries who favoured grand historical narratives, Schalcken often opted for smaller, more intimate subjects. His work frequently features figures in states of quiet contemplation or dramatic illumination. This piece demonstrates his ability to balance technical precision with a sense of narrative stillness. The muted colour palette, dominated by earthy tones and soft highlights, contributes to the overall mood of the work. It is a characteristic example of the Dutch Golden Age tradition, where the observation of light and texture is as important as the subject matter itself. The painting invites a close examination of the artist's brushwork and his careful construction of space, providing a clear view into the aesthetic priorities of the late seventeenth-century Dutch school.
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Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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Manufacturing
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.
Care and materials
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
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
Complete The Look
Narcissus - Godfried Schalcken
Regular price
From $29.00 USD
Sale price
From $29.00 USD
Regular price
Fine Art Poster / A4 (21x29.7 cm) / -
Artist Biography
Godfried Schalcken
Schalcken painted by looking through a small hole into a dark room where a candle lit his subject. Horace Walpole recorded the method: the painter observed the candlelit scene through the aperture and painted what he saw using natural daylight at his easel. The technique produced nocturnal images of extraordinary intimacy, and his mastery of artificial light made him the most celebrated specialist in the genre after Gerrit Dou.
He was born in Made, North Brabant, in 1643, the son of a Latin school rector. He studied under Samuel van Hoogstraten in Dordrecht, then under Gerrit Dou in Leiden, absorbing the highly polished manner of the Leiden fijnschilders. He worked in Leiden, Dordrecht and The Hague, painting genre scenes, portraits and candlelit compositions.
In 1692 he sailed to England hoping to become court painter to William and Mary. He produced unusually large canvases to compete with the incumbent Sir Godfrey Kneller, but the appointment never came. He also served as court painter to the Elector Palatine in Dusseldorf. His atmospheric work inspired Sheridan Le Fanu's gothic horror story Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter, later adapted by the BBC in 1979. He married Francoise van Diemen in 1679 and had seven children, though only one daughter survived to adulthood. He died in The Hague in 1706.
He was born in Made, North Brabant, in 1643, the son of a Latin school rector. He studied under Samuel van Hoogstraten in Dordrecht, then under Gerrit Dou in Leiden, absorbing the highly polished manner of the Leiden fijnschilders. He worked in Leiden, Dordrecht and The Hague, painting genre scenes, portraits and candlelit compositions.
In 1692 he sailed to England hoping to become court painter to William and Mary. He produced unusually large canvases to compete with the incumbent Sir Godfrey Kneller, but the appointment never came. He also served as court painter to the Elector Palatine in Dusseldorf. His atmospheric work inspired Sheridan Le Fanu's gothic horror story Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter, later adapted by the BBC in 1979. He married Francoise van Diemen in 1679 and had seven children, though only one daughter survived to adulthood. He died in The Hague in 1706.
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Fine Art Framed
From $89
The same fine art print in a solid wood frame with UV-protective acrylic glaze and rigid backing. Five frame colours. Arrives ready to hang.
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