Gods, Myths and Heroes - Part 16

 Narcissus

Narcissus, in Greek and Roman myth, was a hunter known for his beauty who rejected all romantic advances.  According to Ovid's version of the myth, a nymph named Echo fell in love with him.  When he spurned her, she faded away until nothing remained but the echo of her voice.

(Above: Narcissus calling Echo by Joaquin Abella, 2014)

In a version by Ovid's contemporary Conon, a young man named Ameinias fell in love with Narcissus.  Narcissus spurned him and give him a sword, whereupon Ameinias committed suicide.

(Narcissus and Ameinias by Manolo Yanes, 2017-2018)

In all versions of the myth, Narcissus sees his reflection in a pool of water and falls in love with himself.  He pines away and eventually turns into a narcissus flower (a daffodil).

(Narcissus by Duane Michaels, 1932)

Artists have used the Narcissus myth as an opportunity to portray a beautiful naked young man.

(Narcissus by Christoffer Eilhelm Eckersberg, 1815)

Narcissus by John Gibson, 1838, at the Royal Academy, London.

Narcissus has not been ignored by contemporary artists.  This is Chattahoochee Narcissus by Robert Sherer, 1989-1996.

Narcisse (the French version of the name) by Pierre et Gilles, 2014.  In case we didn't know who this is, the daffodils give us a clue.

Photographers have also been attracted to the theme.  This is Urbex Narcissus by JGArtphoto.

Of course, these days a mirror is a more likely place to see your reflection than a pool of water.  This self portrait by Vladimir is titled Narcissus 103.

And Narcissus by Jeff Kasser clearly shows Narcissus in love with his reflection.

Narcissus by Patrick Lentz, 2016, mixes the pool of water and mirror motifs for a confused result, in my opinion.

We end with Bruce as Narcissus by Don Gentle, 2010, in which the reflection acts not just as a mirror but as a magic mirror that makes him look young and beautiful again.  Perhaps it's an observation that we see what we want to see.