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Painted mermaid with long red hair combing it while seated on a mossy rock by rippling blue-violet sea water.

Sketch for A Mermaid, John William Waterhouse

A red-haired mermaid sits on a mossy rock at the edge of a shallow sea, combing her long hair with both hands while looking down. Loose brushstrokes in violet, blue and rust build the rippling water, surf and rocks, in an oil sketch with a soft, unfinished finish.

Artist
John William Waterhouse
Date
1892
Medium
Source
Wikimedia Commons / Wikidata
Size
703 × 1181 px
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Public domain · John William Waterhouse died 1917 and the work dates by 1892; public domain in the US and life+70 countries.
Rights checked 2026-11-05 · tier B · as stated by the source: Public domain

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): John William Waterhouse, via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

The Sea and Ships19th century1890s1892seascaperockspaintingpre-raphaeliteseaoil sketchfantasyimpressionist brushworkmermaidwaterhousered hair

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