Narcissus

24" x 20"   Oil on Linen

In Greek mythology the story of Narcissus is a tale of vanity and unrequited love. Narcissus was a young hunter who was known for his astonishing beauty. He spurned all his suitors, most notably the nymph Echo. One day he stopped to quench his thirst at a pool of water. As he bent over to drink, he saw this incredibly beautiful person in the water, and, not realizing it was his own reflection, fell madly in love. Whenever he reached out to touch his beloved, however, the figure would disappear beneath the ripples of the water’s surface. Heartbroken, he refused to leave, fearing he would never see this beautiful being again and eventually he passed away on the edge of the pool. His spirit was transformed into a beautiful gold and white flower which began to grow on that very spot, a daffodil, that we now know as a narcissus.

There is an abundant bank of narcissus flowers that grow outside my studio. This year I brought some into my studio to paint. I decided to set the bouquet next to a mirror, where they could admire their own beauty...