Who painted The Nymphs?

The Nymphs was painted by Émile Bernard in 1890.

Where can I see The Nymphs?

The Nymphs is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Nymphs?

The Nymphs is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of The Nymphs?

Museum-quality prints of The Nymphs are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Nymphs

Émile Bernard , 1890

The Nymphs is a print by the Impressionist artist Émile Bernard. It dates from 1890 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Created in 1889 when the artist was just twenty‑two, this hand‑colored woodcut presents three elongated female figures in a forest clearing.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1889 when the artist was just twenty‑two, this hand‑colored woodcut presents three elongated female figures in a forest clearing. The figures, rendered with a pale palette, appear to sway like reeds, their bodies stretched and weightless. Only three impressions of the print are known to exist, making it a rare example of the artist’s early print work.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts three nymph‑like women dancing amid trees, an image that evokes mythological themes of nature and femininity. Their elongated forms and ethereal posture suggest a timeless, idealised beauty, aligning the work with ancient representations of divine or semi‑divine beings in Greek and Egyptian art.

Technique & Style

The artist carved the composition into a wood block and then applied bright, flat pigments by hand to each print, a process that emphasizes strong, simplified shapes. The resulting figures possess a linear grace and a sense of weightlessness reminiscent of Egyptian wall paintings, while the overall aesthetic reflects a modern reinterpretation of classical motifs.

History & Provenance

During his teenage years the artist collaborated with Paul Gauguin and maintained an active correspondence with Vincent van Gogh. In a letter dated late 1889, van Gogh noted the young painter’s turn toward “elegant, modern figures in the manner of ancient Greek and Egyptian art.” This observation situates the print within a pivotal moment of stylistic development.

Own this work as a print

Artist & collection

Artist

Émile Bernard

Émile Henri Bernard (French pronunciation: ; 28 April 1868 – 16 April 1941) was a French Post-Impressionist painter and writer, who had artistic friendships with Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin and Eugène Boch, and at a later time, Paul…