Clytie

George Frederic Watts

ca. 1868–75 · Painted plaster · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

A Victorian painter and sculptor associated with the Symbolist movement, George Frederic Watts used art to communicate “ideas, not things.” In this sculpture, he conveys the torment of desire by representing the mythological ocean nymph Clytie as she is metamorphosed into a sunflower at the command of the sun god Apollo, object of her unrequited affection. Petals sensuously envelop her body, while her twisting head follows the sun on its course. Watts painted the plaster to warm her flesh. This is said to be the original plaster model.

Artist

George Frederic Watts

Date

ca. 1868–75

Medium

Painted plaster

Culture

British, London

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Gift of Walter L. Palmer, 1908