Sea Nymph

393 AC - I sigh as I look out at the great expanse of water. Bubbles pirouettes in the water, leaving violet trails behind him. But I can't do anything like that. I could walk on top of it, but I really don't like the vertigo it gives me, so I'll need to find another way. I think of all the marine paintings I know: definitely none of the ones involving storms (Aivazovsky, van de Velde the Younger), nor The Raft of the Medusa or Impression, Sunrise, neither of which will help me too much… Maybe Van Gogh's Seascape near Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer… Suddenly, it all becomes clear. I summon a Nereid to help me paint what I want.

She emerges from the water like a coral reef coming to life. Around her, the waves seem to solidify and appear like an optical illusion. I remember Japanese woodblocks, and the waves in flat, two-dimensional splashes of color. Then the lake transforms into a theater set, with removable panels that slide from right to left as if pulled by invisible ropes. Hokusai and Hiroshige, waves crested with white foam… Delighted with the result, I start to walk across the sandy ground, between the static rollers. Behind the scenes, the panel backs are made from wood and joinery, like I was actually on stage. The nymph smiles at me and caresses my cheek as I walk past her…

The Nereids are sea nymphs that are part of Poseidon's retinue, appearing on the backs of sea monsters, dolphins and seahorses. They are elemental spirits that symbolize the movement of the sea. Proud and vindictive, they are said to be the 50 daughters of the god Nereus and the Oceanid Doris. In their name, Poseidon demanded that Cepheus and Cassiopeia sacrifice their daughter, Andromeda, princess of Ethiopia.

NADIR