Die schöne Melusine: VII. Das Liebesglück

Art Historical Context

Step into the enchanting world of Moritz von Sch's *Die schöne Melus: VII. Das Lieglück* (1869), a luminous watercolor on cardboard measuring an impressive 78 x133 cm. This captivating drawing, housed in Vienna's Belvedere Collection, the seventh chapter of the medieval legend of Melusine—a mythical water sprite who marries a nobleman, only to reveal her dual nature. Here, Schwind depicts the blissful height of her love affair, radiating tenderness and fairy-tale magic. A key figure in Austrian Romanticism, Schwind was renowned for his narrative frescoes and illustrations drawn from folklore, blending delicate fantasy with emotional depth. Created late in his career, this work exemplifies his mastery of storytelling through art, evoking the Nazarene movement's emphasis on purity and medieval revival. As part of a series, it invites viewers to immerse themselves in Melusine's tragic romance, a tale popularized in 14th-century French literature and resonating across European culture. The watercolor medium on sturdy cardboard allows for Schwind's signature translucent glazes and vibrant hues, lending an ethereal glow to the scene—perfect for conveying love's fleeting joy. Classified as a drawing yet grand in scale, it highlights 19th-century innovations in preparatory techniques for larger murals, making it a gem of Romantic draftsmanship in the Belvedere's holdings.

About the Artist

Moritz von Schwind · 1804–1871

Comment on works: genre; history; portrait; illustrator