Artwork
Lady with Fan, with attendant nymphs
Lady with Fan, with attendant nymphs is a watercolor work on paper by the Art Nouveau artist Charles Robinson. It dates from 1931 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The watercolour 'Lady with Fan' by Charles Robinson features a woman accompanied by nymph-like figures, rendered in a dreamy, ethereal style.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure, a woman in a flowing dress and curly wig, floats above a rocky cliff, surrounded by small winged creatures with attributes like bows and shells. The scene may relate to Alexander Pope's 'The Rape of the Lock', suggesting a narrative or illustrative context.
Technique & Style
Robinson's use of watercolour achieves a soft, blurred effect, with pale blues, greens, and touches of gold dominating the palette. The style blends influences from Albrecht Dürer, the Pre-Raphaelites, and Japanese print techniques, characteristic of Robinson's work as an Edwardian illustrator.
History & Provenance
The work was bequeathed to the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1982 as part of a collection of 27 pieces by Robinson. The artist was elected to the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours in 1932, recognising his prominence among illustrators of his time.
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Robinson painted dreamy watercolors in the 1930s—soft hills, medieval villages, and gentle nudes all in delicate washes.
