Nymph and Fauns

This nymph drew a lot of attention when it was exhibited at Nationalmuseum in 1876. The subject shows how 19th-century viewers were imbued with the tradition of ‘the male gaze’. The fauns look upon the naked female figure as a quarry, from the voyeur’s perspective. By her side is another quarry, a dead game bird. August Strindberg, who loved the painting, wrote in a contemporary review: ‘Fall to your feet and adore the triumpher of painting’.

Credit: Purchase 1876