Artwork
Narcissus admires his reflection in the water
Narcissus admires his reflection in the water is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Anthoni Schoonjans. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Created in 1696, this oil painting portrays the youth of the mythic Narcissus as he gazes at his own image reflected in a calm pool.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1696, this oil painting portrays the youth of the mythic Narcissus as he gazes at his own image reflected in a calm pool. The figure sits on a rock, nude except for a dark cloth tied around his waist, set against a somber sky dotted with distant trees. The composition emphasizes the solitary moment of self‑contemplation, a theme common to Baroque explorations of myth.
Subject & Meaning
The work draws on the classical story of Narcissus, the handsome youth who fell in love with his own reflection. By isolating the figure on a rocky ledge and focusing on his introspective stare, the painting invites viewers to consider themes of vanity, self‑absorption, and the fleeting nature of beauty, echoing moral reflections that were popular in 17th‑century art.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the artist employs strong contrasts of light and shadow to model the flesh and drapery, a hallmark of chiaroscuro.
Executed in oil on canvas, the artist employs strong contrasts of light and shadow to model the flesh and drapery, a hallmark of chiaroscuro. The illuminated skin stands out against a dark, cloud‑filled backdrop, creating depth and a dramatic focus on the central figure. The brushwork combines the smooth finish typical of Flemish Baroque portraiture with a slightly idealised, mythological rendering.
History & Provenance
The painting was produced by a Flemish artist who trained in Antwerp before serving as a court painter in several European capitals. After changing hands among private collections, it entered the holdings of the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains part of the museum’s Baroque gallery, representing the cross‑cultural reach of Flemish artists in the late 17th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
Anthoni Schoonjans, nicknamed Parhasius (1655 – 13 August 1726) was a Flemish painter known for his portraits as well as his history paintings.
Joseph and Potiphar's Wife
Self-portrait of Anthon Schoonjans (1655-1726)
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Portrait of Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici, electress of the Palatine (1667-1743)
Jacob blames Laban of his deception with Lea (Genesis 29:25-27)
allegory on the dew
