The Sea Maidens c. 1885 - 1886

Evelyn De Morgan painted 'The Sea Maidens' with oils on canvas, using traditional fine art materials to create a scene that, at first glance, feels purely aesthetic. However, if we consider the Victorian context, the artwork can be understood as a product of the late 19th-century’s material culture. The rich colors and smooth finish, achieved through careful layering and blending, would have signaled luxury to its original audience. The depiction of the female figures also reflects the artist’s response to societal expectations, and the limited roles available to women. De Morgan, like other female artists of her time, was challenging conventions. The amount of work and skill involved in producing such a painting allowed her to make a statement about women’s capabilities, not as craft producers making decorative objects, but as artists in their own right. By understanding the making and context of “The Sea Maidens," we can appreciate the nuances of its meaning, and reconsider distinctions between fine art and craft.