Focus on The Oceanids (The Naiads of the Sea) and explore the Subject and composition.
The subject of The Oceanids (The Naiads of the Sea) is from the ancient Greek tragedy Prometheus Bound, traditionally attributed to Aeschylus. The painting depicts a group of Oceanids—ocean nymphs from Greek mythology—gathered at a rock in the ocean. The nude Oceanids lie on the rock or in the water in contorted positions; a group of them circle in the sky on the right side of the picture. The water is foaming and there are dark clouds in the sky. In the background, the Titan Prometheus is chained to a cliff, a punishment given to him by Zeus after he stole fire from the gods and gave it to mankind.
Titan Aeschylus Prometheus Prometheus Bound nymph Greek mythology Oceanids Zeus stole fire