Lake Scene with Fairies and Swans

Robert Caney

Associated Names
Robert Caney

Artist, British, 1847 - 1911

This is a painting depicting figures that appear to be nymphs or spirits in flowing garments and graceful poses. Some are emerging from the sea on the left, standing on large seashells and holding pink ribbons or cloths in the air, while others are dancing on the shore to the right or sitting in a patch of green surrounded by flowers, wearing orange garments. The people all have pale pink skin. Large white swans swim on the water and more white birds are flying overhead. Small purple flowers line the bottom of the painting, and large trees curve up the left and right side with green and pale yellow leaves. The background is a pale blue color, with areas of yellow light.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    watercolor and gouache over black chalk on blue-green board

  • Credit Line

    Joseph F. McCrindle Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 17.4 x 25 cm (6 7/8 x 9 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2009.70.70


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

probably Miss Dinah Caney (sale, Sotheby's, London, 29 June 1973, part of lot 299); (bought by Christopher Powney); Finchden Manor, Tenterden, Kent; to Joseph F. McCrindle [1923-2008], New York, 1977; Joseph F. McCrindle Foundation, 2008; gift to NGA, 2009.

Associated Names

Bibliography

2012

  • Grasselli, Margaret M., and Arthur K. Wheelock, Jr., eds. The McCrindle Gift: A Distinguished Collection of Drawings and Watercolors. Exh. cat. National Gallery of Art. Washington, 2012: 167 (color).

Inscriptions

by artist, lower left in pen and red ink: R. Caney; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: 28

Wikidata ID

Q64628854

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