The Merman 1892

"The Merman", painted in 1892 by John William Waterhouse, depicts a solitary merman reclining on a rocky shore. The merman's mournful expression and the turbulent sea create a sense of longing and isolation, possibly alluding to the legend of the merman's inability to find love on land. The painting's Pre-Raphaelite style, evident in its meticulous detail and idealized figures, draws inspiration from Arthurian legends and mythology. The work is currently held in a private collection.