Merlin and Nimue

British artist Edward Burne-Jones created this watercolor and gouache painting in 1861, depicting a scene from Arthurian legend. The enchantress Nimue incants from a magic book as a gravestone-like form rises from the earth, drawing the wizard Merlin inexorably toward the gaping tomb that awaits him. According to the legend from Malory's Morte d'Arthur, Nimue trapped Merlin forever using his own spells.

Burne-Jones had explored this subject earlier in 1857-58 for a mural at the Oxford Union Library. His fascination with Arthurian themes continued throughout his career, culminating in "The Beguiling of Merlin" (1872-1877) now at the Lady Lever Art Gallery. These works reflect the Pre-Raphaelite interest in medieval romance and the femme fatale figure.

This watercolor measures 64 by 51 centimeters and hangs at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Burne-Jones was a central figure in the second generation of Pre-Raphaelites, known for dreamlike imagery drawn from mythology and medieval literature.