The Mermaids (Kramskoi)

The Mermaids, 1871. 88cm × 132cm

The Mermaids (also known as Drowned Maidens,[1] Russian: Русалки ) is an 1871 oil on canvas by the Russian artist Ivan Kramskoi.

It depicts nineteen rusalki, who, according to Slavic mythology, were river or lake spirits who appeared at night in the form of young women. Some versions of the myths describe them as spirits who had died unbaptised or unmarried, or had drowned themselves following an unrequited love. They would emerge from the water at night to sing and dance. They fulfilled a similar folkloric role to sirens; often enchanting young men before luring them to their deaths at the bottom of the water.[2]

The painting is held in the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow.[3]

  1. ^ Harkness, Kristen. "The Phantom of Inspiration: The Emergence of Modern Art in Russia". University of Pittsburgh. 34. Retrieved on 17 March 2010.
  2. ^ Hilton, Alison. "Russian folk art". Indiana University Press, 1995. 143. ISBN 0-253-32753-9
  3. ^ "The Mermaids". Tretyakov Gallery. Retrieved 16 March 2010.