Satyr spying on a reclining nymph 

William Etty's "Satyr Spying on a Reclining Nymph" presents us with a scene of classical mythology, rendered with a distinctly British sensibility. Painted during the first half of the 19th century, the work draws upon the visual codes of the old masters, but also reflects the Victorian era's complex relationship with ideas of beauty, morality, and the body. Nymphs, satyrs, and cupids, common figures in classical art, were used to explore themes of sexuality and desire, all while being safely distanced in a mythologized past. Note how the gaze of the satyr introduces a sense of voyeurism, while the landscape provides both concealment and exposure. To fully understand a piece like this, we delve into the art criticism of the period, exploring exhibition reviews and personal letters of the artist. These resources help us understand the social and institutional contexts that gave rise to the production and reception of works like this, and the debates around artistic license that shaped Victorian culture.