Image scanned and/or photographed, then color-corrected by Pat Cagney.

Undine Rising from the Fountain

Artist Chauncey Bradley Ives (American, 1810 - 1894)

Datemodeled ca. 1880-82

MediumMarble

DimensionsOverall: 50 5/8 x 12 3/4 x 15 3/4 in. (128.6 x 32.4 x 40 cm)

ClassificationsAmerican art

Credit LineGift of James H. Ricau and Museum purchase

Object number86.481

Terms

Undine
Woman
Water
White
Neoclassical
Rome

Collections

American Art before 1945

On View

On view

DescriptionThis is a marble sculpture of a young woman, Undine, as she reaches up toward heaven out of the waters to receive her immortal soul. She is well proportioned and the fabric with which she is draped even appears to be wet, since it clings so closely to her form. She stands on tiptoe just touching the marble carved waters. She holds the cloth above her head and as it drapes down from her hands to her head, the marble is sculpted so thin at this juncture that, translucent light can be see through the carved marble.

Label TextChauncey Bradley Ives American, 1810–1894 Undine, Rising from the Fountain, modeled ca. 1880–82 Marble White marble seems to dissolve into rippling wet fabric as the water nymph Undine changes from liquid to human form. Abandoned by her husband, the heartbroken nymph is seeking revenge: an embrace that will drown him with tears. Magical episodes like Undine’s metamorphosis—made famous by an 1811 German fairy tale—gave Chauncey Ives and other American sculptors valuable opportunities to show off their skills in illusionistic stone carving. Notice in particular the suggestions of Undine’s body beneath her gown and the nearly transparent veil above her head. Gift of James H. Ricau and Museum purchase 86.481