John William Waterhouse (English, 1849-1917) - Echo and Narcissus, 1903 (Oil on canvas. Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool) - - In this perfectly balanced painting, the nymph Echo, perched on a rock, tense with frustrated desire, gazes hopelessly at the languorous, lithe body of Narcissus as he gazes at his reflection in a pool, captivated by its beauty. The story, based on a Greek myth, is from the Roman poet Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Echo - who must repeat what’s said to her - is just one of many admirers - male as well as female - Narcissus has rejected. Taking pity on her, the goddess Nemesis decides to punish Narcissus for refusing love by making him fall in love with his own reflection. Here Echo is so close to Narcissus she can almost reach him, but the water separates her from him forever. And Narcissus himself can never be united with the object of his desire. - NégyArt (Szingy Books)