Henry Fuseli

Undine and Huldbrand

Undine and Huldbrand by Henry Fuseli

Artwork Detail

Huldbrand draws Undine, his lovely wife to be, towards him in a passionate embrace. As a watersprite, Undine has no soul, but she can acquire one when she marries. Her rival, Bertalda, lures fickle Huldbrand away from Undine, and she disappears, only to reappear at Huldbrand and Bertalda’s wedding where she kills her former lover with a kiss. Fuseli owned a copy of this popular romantic novel, providing him with the popular theme of man ensnared and destroyed by woman.

Title
Undine and Huldbrand
Artist/creator
Henry Fuseli
Production date
circa 1819-circa 1822
Medium
pencil and watercolour
Dimensions
481 x 319 mm
Credit line
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, purchased 1965
Accession no
1965/67
Copyright
No known copyright restrictions
Department
International Art
Display status
Not on display

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