Hagen and the Nymphs of the Danube

Art Historical Context

Henry Fuseli's *Hagen and the Ns of the Danube*1802) is a mesmerizing drawing that plunges viewers into a world of Germanic legend. The Swiss-born British artist, a key figure in Romanticism, drew inspiration from epic tales like the *Nibelungenlied*, the fierce warrior Hagen is linked to the Danube River—here evoked through ethereal nymphs and dynamic horses. Created late in Fuseli's career, this work captures his signature flair for the dramatic and supernatural, blending human intensity with mythical allure. Executed on cream wove paper with graphite, pen and brown ink, watercolor, and gouache, the piece measures a compact 12 5/16 x 13 1/4 inches. Fuseli's mixed-media technique allows for vivid contrasts: the fluid watercolor suggests watery nymphs, while precise ink lines define muscular forms and rearing horses, heightening tension and movement. This intimate scale invites close inspection, revealing his innovative approach to drawing as a standalone art form. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (purchase, Lila Acheson Wallace Gift, 1994), the work underscores Fuseli's enduring influence on Romantic art, bridging neoclassical precision with emotional fervor. It's a window into early 19th-century fascination with folklore, perfect for pondering the clash of mortal ambition and nature's enchantment.

About the Artist

Henry Fuseli · 1741–1825

Henry Fuseli (1741-1825), born Johann Heinrich Füssli in Zürich, was a Swiss-British painter whose visionary works exploring dreams, nightmares, and psychological terror made him one of the most original figures of the Romantic movement. His art bridged Neoclassical discipline with Romantic emotionalism, creating images of supernatural intensity that would influence artists from William Blake to t...