_Halb zog sie ihn, halb sank er hin_ - Der Fischer und die Nixe 

Bernhard Neher the Younger created this drawing, "Halb zog sie ihn, halb sank er hin" – "The Fisherman and the Nymph," with graphite. Consider the central motif: the water nymph, a symbol of irresistible yet perilous feminine allure. This archetype echoes through time, from the Sirens of Homer’s _Odyssey_ to Lorelei on the Rhine. The nymph embodies a primal fear: the seductive woman who lures men to their doom. Note the garland on her head, linking her to ancient symbols of nature and fertility, which contrasts with the danger she represents. The putti in the air above, reminiscent of Renaissance art, introduce a layer of classical innocence, further complicating the scene’s tension. This image taps into our collective memory, stirring deep-seated anxieties and desires. The fisherman’s fate, caught between mortal and immortal realms, reflects our own struggles with temptation and the unknown. This is the power of symbols: they transcend time, resurfacing in new forms, always retaining a kernel of their original, potent meaning.