Nymph at the Fountain

Black-and-white photograph of a neoclassical marble fountain sculpture depicting a semi-nude nymph wringing her hair

Louis Claude Vassé

A graceful nymph wrings water from her flowing hair in this elegant fountain sculpture by Louis Claude Vassé. Carved from luminous white marble, the figure embodies the refined sensuality of 18th-century French sculpture. Bronze serpents with traces of original gilding emerge from the gray-veined marble basin, creating a dynamic contrast between materials. The nymph's serene expression and naturalistic pose reflect the period's fascination with classical mythology and idealized feminine beauty. This work exemplifies the French tradition of combining technical mastery with poetic subject matter in decorative sculpture.