Faun und badende Nixen 

Franz von Stuck rendered "Faun und badende Nixen" using expressive lines and layered washes, generating a complex interplay of light and shadow. The nude figures, set against the dark, undulating backdrop, create a compelling visual contrast. Stuck, working at the turn of the century, engaged with the Symbolist movement, a time when artists explored psychological and mythical themes to challenge traditional academic styles. This work exemplifies the Symbolist interest in unsettling the viewer through unconventional, often ambiguous narratives. The composition, divided into distinct spatial planes, draws attention to the faun's voyeuristic gaze. Stuck uses stark tonal contrasts and the gestural quality of the brushwork to reflect the psychological weight of the scene. The faun is both part of and removed from the scene, reflecting the Symbolist concern with desire, observation, and the human condition. As such, the painting challenges traditional notions of beauty and decorum.