Hylas and the Water Nymphs

William Etty RA (York 1787 – York 1849). Oil painting on canvas, Hylas and the Water Nymphs by William Etty RA (York 1787 – York 1849), 1833/34. In a pool at left, a group of nymphs/naiads are embracing Hylas and drawing him into the water. Hercules and attendant figure are on shore at right, a sailing ship on sea beyond. Figure of Hercules almost in monochrome. When the painting was exhbited by the artist at the Royal Academy in 1833 the following description (from a quotation from Lempriere’s translation Appollonius Rhodius), was attached: "The nymphs of the river, enamoured of the beautiful Hylas, carried him away, and Hercules, disconsolate at the losee of his favourite yuoth, filled the woods anfd montains with his complaints". Anglesey Abbey, Cambridgeshire (Accredited Museum)