"The Nightmare" by Henry Fuseli Rectangle Canvas Wrap
"The Nightmare" by Henry Fuseli Rectangle Canvas Wrap
"The Nightmare" by Henry Fuseli Rectangle Canvas Wrap
"The Nightmare" by Henry Fuseli Rectangle Canvas Wrap
"The Nightmare" by Henry Fuseli Rectangle Canvas Wrap
"The Nightmare" by Henry Fuseli Rectangle Canvas Wrap
"The Nightmare" by Henry Fuseli Rectangle Canvas Wrap
"The Nightmare" by Henry Fuseli Rectangle Canvas Wrap
"The Nightmare" by Henry Fuseli Rectangle Canvas Wrap
"The Nightmare" by Henry Fuseli Rectangle Canvas Wrap
"The Nightmare" by Henry Fuseli Rectangle Canvas Wrap
"The Nightmare" by Henry Fuseli Rectangle Canvas Wrap
"The Nightmare" by Henry Fuseli Rectangle Canvas Wrap
"The Nightmare" by Henry Fuseli Rectangle Canvas Wrap

"The Nightmare" by Henry Fuseli Rectangle Canvas Wrap

$52.00 $43.00
/
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Only -3 items in stock!

The Nightmare (1781)
by Henry Fuseli (Switzerland, 1741-1825)

"The Nightmare" is a 1781 oil painting by Swiss artist Henry Fuseli. It shows a woman in deep sleep with her arms thrown below her, and with an apelike demonic creature crouched on her chest. The painting's dreamlike and haunting evocation of infatuation and obsession was a huge popular success. For contemporary viewers, "The Nightmare" invoked the relationship of the creature and the horse (mare) to nightmares. The work was likely inspired by the waking dreams experienced by Fuseli and his contemporaries, who found that these experiences related to folkloric beliefs like the Germanic tales about demons and witches that possessed people who slept alone.

The etymology of the word "nightmare" does not relate to horses. Rather, the word is derived from mara, a Scandinavian mythological term referring to a spirit sent to torment or suffocate sleepers. The early meaning of "nightmare" included the sleeper's experience of weight on the chest combined with sleep paralysis, dyspnea, or a feeling of dread. The painting incorporates a variety of imagery associated with these ideas, depicting a mare's head and a demon crouched atop the woman. Fuseli may have added the horse as an afterthought, since a preliminary chalk sketch did not include it. Its presence in the painting has been viewed as a visual pun on the word "nightmare" and a self-conscious reference to folklore—the horse destabilizes the painting's conceit and contributes to its Gothic tone.

Rectangle Canvas Wrap

Gallery quality canvas print displays vibrant artwork that is built to last. Printed with HP Latex Inks that are fade resistant. Inks are water based and solvent free so rest assured there are no harsh chemicals in your home. Assembled with thick wood frame and glued wood core stretcher bars. All canvas prints are wrapped and shipped in fitted packaging

  • Ready To Hang - Mounting hardware comes attached.
  • Leveling Bumpers Included - For wall protection.
  • Semi-Gloss Print - Increased vibrancy of artwork.
  • Beveled Wood Stretch Bars - Make frame less noticeable on front of canvas.
  • Industrial Strength Staples - Ensure a tight fit that is sure to last.