Die schöne Melusine: VI. Die bösen Zungen

Art Historical Context

**Die schöne Melusine VI. Die bösenungen** *Moritz von Schwind,1869* Aquarell auf Karton, 78 x 66 cm Step into the whimsical world of Moritz von Schwind, a leading Austrian Romantic artist renowned for his enchanting depictions of folklore and legends. This watercolor on cardboard, the sixth in his *Die schöne Melusine* series, captures a pivotal moment from the medieval tale of Melusine—a mythical water spirit who marries a nobleman but hides a secret: she transforms into a serpent every Saturday. Titled "The Evil Tongues," it portrays the betrayal through malicious gossip that exposes her, blending delicate fantasy with human drama. Created late in Schwind's career (1804–1871), the work exemplifies Romanticism's fascination with nature, myth, and emotion, influenced by his Vienna circle and Nazarene ideals of clarity and narrative depth. His fluid watercolor technique—vibrant yet translucent—brings ethereal figures and lush landscapes to life on the sturdy cardboard support, a medium that allowed for bold scale uncommon in drawings. Housed in Vienna's prestigious Belvedere Collection, this piece highlights Schwind's legacy in illustrating German literary traditions, offering visitors a window into 19th-century Europe's romantic revival of fairy tales. Its large format invites close inspection of intricate details, evoking the magic and melancholy of forbidden love.

About the Artist

Moritz von Schwind · 1804–1871

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