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From the first sketch to the final varnish, Cupid and the Sea Nymphs is made by hand. Based on Henry Scott Tuke's original. This refined oil painting wall decor is crafted on artist-grade canvas for anyone who wants fine art oil painting with the character of an original.
1899
Oil on canvas
The child of Venus sits on the white sands of a beach clutching his bow and golden arrows and looking across a sea-pool where two water nymphs are bathing unaware of his presence. Tuke notes in his diary that Cupid and the Sea Nymphs was completed on the 10 April 1899 and it was sent for exhibition at the New Gallery with a Portrait of Mrs Ingram.
The model for Cupid was Georgie Fouracre, the young son of Tuke's cook who also appears in The Message of 1890 (Falmouth Art Gallery) with his mother and brother Richard. He was also the principle model for The Coming of Day painted in 1901 (unlocated). According to Tuke's diary he painted a watercolour replica of the present picture in the spring of 1905.
Cupid and the Sea Nymphs was bought in 1907 by Tuke's friends Mr and Mrs Beldham, whose house in Ealing was a short bicycle ride from Tuke's home in Hanwell. This was the same year that Tuke was engaged upon a portrait of Mrs Beldham and in 1917 the artist painted their daughter Kathleen. Beldham was a famous cricketer who played for the Middlesex Eleven and for the Gentlemen of England. He introduced Tuke to the game and taught him to play in his garden at Boston Lodge. Beldham also introduced Tuke to many sportsmen 'He was known to my friends, who became his friends, as Tuko (I think I christened him). I introduced him to W. G. Grace, F. R. Spofforth and Ranji, now H.H. the Jam Sahib of Nawanagar. I taught Tuko cricket when he was nearing 50. He became quite good at Ranji's famous leg-glide, and, had he taken up the game earlier, would have been a batsman above the average. Many stories could be told, for he was full of fun and beloved by all of us.' (letter from Beldham to Maria Tuke Sainsbury, quoted in her book Henry Scott Tuke, 1933, p. 141). Tuke painted portraits of Grace, Spofforth and Fry for the book Great Batsmen which Beldham published in 1907. He also painted a spectacular portrait of the regal Ranjitsinjhi who also bought Return from Fishing and Sailors Yarning for his fine collection of modern pictures.
As living room wall decor, the piece pairs naturally with other refined wall art and with warm neutrals, timber, and soft natural light.
Materials matter for refined wall decor. That is why this piece is built on artist-grade canvas with lightfast oil colors, applied by hand rather than output from a printer, and sealed for long-term display.
Style it over a fireplace, behind a reading chair, or along a staircase. Wherever it goes, this refined oil painting wall decor adds the layered color that only a hand painted canvas provides.
| Size | Price |
|---|---|
| 20 X 24 in | $77.98 |
| 24 X 36 in | $120.48 |
| 30 X 40 in | $166.48 |
| 36 X 48 in | $221.48 |
| 48 X 72 in | $430.48 |
The sizes shown are the reproduction canvas sizes we paint to order. The dimensions given in a work's description refer to the original artwork and will differ from the sizes offered here. Not sure? Read the size guide or e-mail us.
Free on orders over $60; a flat $5 below that. Dispatched in 1–2 business days; 30 days to send it back. Full policy.
Every canvas is painted by hand in oils on artist-grade stretched canvas, with an extra blank border left for framing. How to care for your painting.
Measurements are on the size guide, or e-mail [email protected] and we reply within one business day.
