The Mermaids
Ivan Kramskoi · 1871
Why it's great
A group of young mermaids sit in a moonlit river and dance, in the night, in a chilly blue light. Kramskoi painted the folk tale in a magical, shimmering, spooky style. The pale figures glow. It's a very atmospheric painting.
👀 Look closer!
The mermaids dance by moonlight. How many mermaids can you see?
Where to see it
📍 State Tretyakov GalleryMoscow, Russia
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Ivan Kramskoi was born in Ostrogozhsk, Russia, and worked in Saint Petersburg. He was a leader of the Wanderers, artists who rebelled against stuffy academic rules. He painted deeply felt portraits of writers, scholars and ordinary people. He also wrote and taught about art, and he inspired a generation of Russian painters.
