The Universe of Mermaids by John William WaterhouseWaterhouse gives the mermaids a melancholy or collective presence: fish woman on the shore and assault on Ulysses reveal the attraction between solitude, song and threat.
1849 - 1917Life of John William Waterhouse
1891Ulysses and the Mermaids on display at the Royal Academy
around 1900Development of Solitary Sirens
300 °CPaintings, studies and drawings - overall estimate
Hand paintedReal oil painting, no print.
Formats of your choiceA composition adapted to the dimensions ordered.
Photo validationExamine your board before shipping.
Possible alterationsRequest adjustments before sending.
1891 -1910 · Song, shore and danger of the gaze
Waterhouse gives the mermaids a melancholy or collective presence: fish woman on the shore and assault on Ulysses reveal the attraction between solitude, song and threat.
The mermaid changes shape according to ancient and medieval traditions: a bird woman among the Greeks, she gradually becomes a fish woman in the European imagination. John William Waterhouse exploits this double memory. In Ulysses and the Mermaids, painted in 1891, winged creatures surround the ship and lean towards the sailors, while Ulysses remains attached to the mast. The composition is noisy, tight and narrative. The Mermaid, developed in several versions at the turn of the century, on the contrary isolates a fish woman on the shore, sometimes holding a lyre and looking at a shipwrecked sailor. The song is no longer represented by the assault of a group, but by the intimacy of an encounter suspended. Rocks, dark water, hair and instrument connect body and landscape. Waterhouse therefore takes up the same power of attraction in two forms: collective danger inherited from Homer and solitary figure close to fin-de-siecle symbolism. The "Sirens by John William Waterhouse" selection notably compares The Mermaid and The Mermaid. His reading favors details.
The Waterhouse mermaid is dangerous even before singing: her gaze connects the sailor, the spectator and water whose background no image shows.
Course & style
Journey, subjects and pictorial language
The mermaid changes shape according to ancient and medieval traditions: a bird woman among the Greeks, she gradually becomes a fish woman in the European imagination. John William Waterhouse exploits this double memory. In Ulysses and the Mermaids, painted in 1891, winged creatures surround the ship and lean towards the sailors, while Ulysses remains attached to the mast. The composition is noisy, tight and narrative. The Mermaid, developed in several versions at the turn of the century, on the contrary isolates a fish woman on the shore, sometimes holding a lyre and looking at a shipwrecked sailor. The song is no longer represented by the assault of a group, but by the intimacy of an encounter suspended. Rocks, dark water, hair and instrument connect body and landscape. Waterhouse therefore takes up the same power of attraction in two forms: collective danger inherited from Homer and solitary figure close to fin-de-siecle symbolism.
Surround Ulysses' ship
Waterhouse returns to the winged mermaid and Homer's collective danger. This milestone sheds light on the "Sirens by John William Waterhouse" collection by focusing on details.
Transform the creature to shore
The fish woman, the lyre and the castaway move the myth towards the intimate.
Vary the symbolist figure
Studies and covers deepen solitude, desire and ambiguity.
01
Invisible song
Lyre, mouth and gaze make us imagine a sound that the canvas suspends. This line guides a reading of "Sirens by John William Waterhouse" centered on details.
02
Hybrid body
Wing or tail combines human beauty and animal otherness.
03
Border shore
The rock separates safe land and deep water without isolating them.
04
Assault circle
Around Ulysses, sirens close space like a living storm.
Explore by universe
Listen to the sirens of Waterhouse
Two versions of the lone mermaid and the episode of Ulysses oppose intimate encounter, symbolist variation and collective attack.
Shore01
Meet the mermaid
The isolated creature seems to meditate as much as it attracts.
For the atmosphere. Reading "Sirens by John William Waterhouse" in detail.Variation02
Change the silence
A second state modifies instrument, gaze and relationship to the castaway.
For the intimateUlysses03
Resist the choir
The tied hero suffers an assault from winged bodies and imagined voices.
For epicMetamorphosis04
Compare wing and fin
Two iconographic traditions tell the same danger differently.
For the mythShore · Waterhouse05
The Mermaid
The solitary mermaid unites lyre, rock and gaze in melancholy expectation.
Landmark work of Mermaids by John William WaterhouseVariation · Waterhouse06
The mermaid
A second version shifts the relationship between creature, sailor and horizon.
Landmark work of Mermaids by John William Waterhouse
Works to discover
Three Mermaids by John William Waterhouse
Two variations of the mermaid on the shore and the episode of Ulysses confront symbolist solitude and Homeric tumult.
Each painting is made in oil on canvas by a specialized artist, then checked with you before shipping.
From the work to your interior
1
Choice of workSubject, orientation and dimensions adapted to your wall.
2
Oil paintingManual production, layer after layer.
3
Photo validationYou examine the finished table.
4
RetouchingAdjustments remain possible before sending.
Each reproduction is unique. Slight variations of touch and material testify to the painter's manual work.
Choose wisely
Choose a Waterhouse mermaid reproduction
A patinated black, deep green or gold frame and a format suitable for the shore or ship will bring out the water, hair and wings.
Frequently asked questions
Before choosing your John William Waterhouse Mermaids
Are reproductions painted with oil paint?
Yes. Each reproduction is hand painted in oil on canvas, without printing.
How to restore the details in a reproduction of Sirens by John William Waterhouse?
The painter uses the composition, values, colors and materials visible in the chosen work from the Sirènes collection by John William Waterhouse, with particular attention to detail.
Can I order a work of Sirens by John William Waterhouse in a custom format?
Yes. The dimensions are adapted respecting the proportions and balance of the selected work.
How do I validate my reproduction of John William Waterhouse Sirens?
Detailed photographs are sent before shipping; you can request edits before sending.
Hand painted
Photo before shipment
Touch-ups possible
FedEx tracked delivery
0 / 0 œuvres chargées
Sirens by John William WaterhouseToutes les œuvres de cette collection
01Une œuvre préciseNom, artiste ou référence de musée02Votre propre imagePhoto, portrait ou composition personnelle03Un format spécialDimensions adaptées à votre intérieur
Buying guide
Your reproduction, step by step
From your choice to delivery, you stay in control thanks to photo validation and included retouching.
1
Choose the work and format
Select it painting and the dimensions adapted to your interior.
2
The artist paints your canvas
Your reproduction is made by hand, in painting at theoil on canvas.
3
You validate the result
You receive a photo and can request up to 7 sets of edits.
4
The canvas is shipped with tracking
After validation, it is protected, rolled and sent with FedEx tracking.
Simple answers on the painting by hand, formats, alterations and delivery of your reproduction.
Frequently Asked Questions
The essential points before choosing your reproduction.
Are the reproductions hand-painted?
Yes. Every reproduction is made by hand in painting at theoil on canvas by an experienced artist. This is neither a print nor a printed canvas.
Can I request touch-ups?
Yes. Before shipping, we send you a detailed photo of the canvas. Up to 7 sets of edits are included to adjust the rendering before your validation.
How long does it take to receive the canvas?
The estimated date is displayed near the buy button. It includes the time of painting, your photo validation then FedEx tracked delivery.
Can I order a custom size?
Yes, you can choose a standard format or request a custom size adapted to your space.
Are the paintings delivered framed?
Depending on the options available, the canvas can be delivered alone, mounted on a stretcher, or prepared for framing. Details are indicated on the product page.
Can I send my own image?
Yes. You can send us an image, a museum reference, the name of an artwork, or a photo to request a custom reproduction.
Guide to the Sirens by John William Waterhouse collection
Some useful guidelines for choosing a work, its format and the location that will best highlight it.
Why choose a reproduction from this collection?
This selection brings together artworks designed for art lovers who want to recapture the spirit of a famous painting in a hand-painted canvas. Each reproduction can be adapted to the desired format and validated by photo before shipping.
A canvas prepared for your home
The available formats allow the artwork to be adapted to a living room, bedroom, office, or a more specific decorative project. The painting is executed in oil on canvas with particular attention to colors, textures, and overall balance.
Touch‑ups and custom requests
If you are looking for a similar artwork, a similar artist, or a specific format, you can ask for advice. Reproductions can be adjusted before shipping thanks to photo validation.
