The Dryad 1884 - 1885

Evelyn De Morgan created this painting called ‘The Dryad’ in oil on canvas. At first glance, we see a figure intertwined with the trunk of a tree. The soft, muted palette evokes a sense of melancholy and introspection. De Morgan masterfully uses the female form to explore deeper themes. The dryad is a nymph, and in this context the semi-nude figure of the nymph embracing the tree can be seen as symbolizing the interconnectedness of humanity and nature, as a signifier of life, death, and regeneration. The composition, with the figure centrally placed, draws our eye directly to the emotional core of the piece. The tree becomes a structural element and a symbolic one, representing the dryad’s very existence. The gaze of the dryad, directed away from us, makes us consider the relationship between the human figure and the natural world.