# In the Sea

**Arnold Böcklin** (Swiss, 1827–1901)  
1883  
Oil on panel  
86.5 × 115 cm (34 3/8 × 45 3/4 in.); Framed: 130.8 × 158.8 × 17.8 cm (51 1/2 × 62 1/2 × 7 in.)

Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago, 1990.443. [The museum's record](https://www.artic.edu/artworks/110507).

## About this work

Böcklin’s art had little in common with Impressionism or the academic art of his time. Instead, his depictions of demigods in naturalistic settings interpret themes from Classical mythology. Böcklin also painted mysterious landscapes that made him an important contributor to the international Symbolist movement and appealed to Surrealist artists, like Giorgio de Chirico, who declared, “Each of \[Böcklin’s\] works is a shock.”

_Text from the Art Institute of Chicago._

Arnold Böcklin painted this in 1883, aged 56. It is now at the Art Institute of Chicago.

### What you’re looking at

Painting of centaur with harp, in water, surrounded by mermaids and mermen.

_Description from the Art Institute of Chicago._

### How it was made

- **Oil on panel.** Oil paint on prepared wooden boards, usually oak in the north and poplar in Italy. The rigid, smooth surface suits fine detail and thin, glowing glazes.
- **Oil paint.** Pigment ground in a drying oil, usually linseed. It dries slowly, so painters could blend on the canvas, build up thin translucent glazes, and rework a picture over weeks. Canvas replaced wooden panels in the 1500s because it is lighter and can be rolled.

### [Arnold Böcklin](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/arnold-bocklin)

Swiss, 1827–1901

## Facts

- Type: Painting
- Culture: Switzerland
- The artist was 56
- Real size: about 34 × 45 in (86 × 115 cm). The 30 × 40 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 19th century
- Subjects: mythology, nudes, seashells, reflections, clouds, harps, mermen, musical instruments
- Colour: grey
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/273.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/273/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86; 24 × 36 in $108; 30 × 40 in $148
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208; 24 × 36 in $258; 30 × 40 in $338
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148; 24 × 36 in $178; 30 × 40 in $228
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5; 24 × 36 in $5; 30 × 40 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/in-the-sea-aic-110507).