Undine, or Nyad 1896

Editor: This is Fantin-Latour's "Undine, or Nyad," a small print at the Harvard Art Museums. The figure seems to emerge from the waves, rendered in very fine lines. What strikes you about the composition? Curator: The emphasis on line and tonal gradations is remarkable. Note how the horizontal lines suggest depth, while the density of hatching defines the figure’s form, creating a dynamic interplay between light and shadow. What do you make of the figure's gaze? Editor: She seems to be looking upward, maybe toward the sky, creating a sense of longing. This gives the artwork a very ethereal and intangible feel. Curator: Precisely. The artist has masterfully employed the formal elements to evoke a sense of the sublime. The way he blurs the figure with the water suggests the figure is one with the water. Editor: I see what you mean! The merging of figure and ground is really effective. Curator: Indeed. The formal structure supports the work's narrative content.