Hylas and the Nymphs

British painter John William Waterhouse painted this scene from Greek mythology in 1896. The youth Hylas, companion of Hercules and fellow Argonaut, kneels at a pond seeking fresh water. Seven water nymphs, their copper hair floating around pale shoulders, reach up to pull him beneath the surface. He'll never be seen again.

Waterhouse was a late Victorian painter working in the Pre-Raphaelite tradition, known for scenes of mythological women and classical literature. The Manchester Art Gallery purchased this work directly from the artist, and it remained a beloved fixture for over a century.

In January 2018, curator Sonia Boyce temporarily removed the painting as part of an art project questioning how galleries display female nudity. The backlash was immediate and fierce. Critics argued that removing art was the opposite of meaningful debate. After one week, the gallery returned it to the wall. The controversy renewed interest in Waterhouse and sparked international discussion about museum practices.