Hylas and the Nymphs

Vue de l'oeuvre

- Diaporama

    Hylas and the Nymphs

    Alexandre Falguière (1831-1900)

    Signed bottom right: A Falguière

    Hylas had gone to draw water from a well when he was abducted by nymphs who, captivated by his beauty, pulled him under the water. In this pastoral scene by the painter and sculptor Alexandre Falguière, a sense of threat comes from the rocky arch that partly blocks the sky, while the nude figures stand out against the background of dark grass. Rodin, who was particularly fond of this painting, hung it over the fireplace in the dining room of his villa in Meudon―but without the original too-large frame, which is why the painting’s unfinished sides are visible. Rodin’s collection included four other paintings by Falguière, making him the artist best represented in the collection. His characteristic habit of painting then scratching his surfaces resonated with Rodin’s experimental approach.


    Locate the artwork in the museum

    Musée Rodin - Meudon, villa des Brillants, ground floor

    We cannot guarantee the presence of all our artworks; some may be out on loan.

    Completion date :

    Avant 1900

    Dimensions :

    H. 180 cm; W. 281 cm

    Materials :

    Oil on canva

    Inventory number :

    P.07296

    Credits :

    © Photographic Agency of musée Rodin - Jérome Manoukian

    Additional information

    Iconography

    • Hylas and the Nymphs(zip, 1215.7 ko)