la sirenetta 1886 - 1888

Evelyn De Morgan painted "la sirenetta" during a period of intense debate about women's roles in society. The mermaid, a creature often associated with femininity, is portrayed with a haunting sense of melancholy. De Morgan challenges traditional representations of women, often objectified or idealized, by presenting a mermaid with a depth of emotional complexity. Her gaze is averted. There is a sense of longing, perhaps for a life beyond the sea, but with an understanding of the sacrifices that such a transformation would entail. The choice of a mythological subject can be seen as a means of exploring themes of identity and transformation. De Morgan situates the mermaid in an uncertain space, neither fully human nor fully marine, reflecting the liminal spaces inhabited by women in a patriarchal society. The artist crafts a quiet moment of contemplation in an era of great social change. The artwork shapes an alternative narrative.