Water Sprite Collection

Water sprite fishing (Nokken), 1899
7176991 Water sprite fishing (Nokken), 1899 by Kittelsen, Theodor Severin (1857-1914); Private Collection; Photo © O. Vaering

Water sprite fishing (Nokken), 1912
7176992 Water sprite fishing (Nokken), 1912 by Kittelsen, Theodor Severin (1857-1914); 67x50 cm; Private Collection; Photo © O. Vaering

Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque
3764871 Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque by Rackham, Arthur (1867-1939); (add.info.: Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque, illustrated by Arthur Rackham)

The Water Sprite, 1882 (oil on canvas)
SNM128586 The Water Sprite, 1882 (oil on canvas) by Josephson, Ernst (1851-1906); 144x114 cm; National Museum, Stockholm, Sweden; Swedish, out of copyright

Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque
3764862 Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque by Rackham, Arthur (1867-1939); (add.info.: Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque, illustrated by Arthur Rackham)

Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque
3764834 Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque by Rackham, Arthur (1867-1939); (add.info.: Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque, illustrated by Arthur Rackham)

Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque
3764831 Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque by Rackham, Arthur (1867-1939); (add.info.: Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque, illustrated by Arthur Rackham)

Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque
3764820 Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque by Rackham, Arthur (1867-1939); (add.info.: Undine by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque, illustrated by Arthur Rackham)

Three Sleeping Sprites with a Satyr, 1769. Creator: Salomon Gessner
Three Sleeping Sprites with a Satyr, 1769

The Rhine Maidens, from Siegfried and The Twilight of the Gods by Richard Wagner, 1911

Two Peasant Girls listening to the Playing of the Water Sprite, 1860. Found in the collection of Nationalmuseum Stockholm

Neck and the Daughters of AEgir, 1850. Found in the collection of Nationalmuseum Stockholm

Neck (Nacken), 1882. Artist: Josephson, Ernst (1851-1906)
Neck (Nacken), 1882. Found in the collection of Nationalmuseum Stockholm

Nokken. Artist: Kittelsen, Theodor (1857-1914)
Nokken. Found in the collection of National Museum of Art, Oslo

Nacken. Private Collection

Ernst Josephson Sketch Water Sprite NAÔé¼cken NM 1905
Ernst Josephson, Sketch for The Water Sprite, Sketch for Nacken, NM 1905, painting, oil on panel, Height, 47 cm (18.5 inches), Width, 37.5 cm (14.7 inches)

Johan Zakarias Blackstadius Two Peasant Girls Listening
Johan Zakarias Blackstadius, Two Peasant Girls Listening to the Playing of the Water-Sprite, Two farmers girls listening to Stromkarlens games, painting, 1860, oil on canvas, Height

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The water sprite, a mystical creature of folklore and mythology, has captivated the imagination of artists throughout history. From paintings to operas, these enchanting beings have been portrayed in various forms across different cultures. In "Water Sprite Fishing (Nokken)" by an unknown artist in 1899 and again in 1912, we catch a glimpse of the mischievous nature of these sprites. Known for their ability to lure unsuspecting humans into bodies of water with their mesmerizing music they can often depicted as cunning tricksters. One notable literary work featuring a water sprite is Friedrich de la Motte Fouque's "Undine. " This tale tells the story of a beautiful water nymph who falls in love with a knight but must sacrifice her immortality to be with him. The tragic romance between human and sprite serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of crossing boundaries between worlds. Artists like Aleksandr Sergeyvich Dargomyzhsky have also found inspiration from these ethereal creatures. In his sketch for the set design of the opera "Russalka, " we see how he envisions the underwater realm inhabited by water sprites. Their graceful movements and otherworldly presence bring an air of mystery to this fantastical production. Salomon Gessner's painting "Three Sleeping Sprites with a Satyr" showcases another interpretation of these mythical beings. Here they can depicted peacefully slumbering alongside a satyr, highlighting their connection to nature and its inhabitants. Richard Wagner's epic opera cycle "Siegfried and The Twilight of the Gods" features characters known as Rhine Maidens who bear resemblance to water sprites. These alluring figures guard an enchanted ring at the bottom of river Rhine while captivating audiences with their mesmerizing songs. Lastly, Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot's painting "Two Peasant Girls Listening to Playing Water Sprite" transports us back to rural life in the 19th century.