Nydia, the blind girl of Pompei

Details

Herbert Gustave Schmalz (1857-1935)
Nydia, the blind girl of Pompei
signed 'Herbert Schmalz' (lower left)
oil on canvas
42 x 42 in. (106.8 x 106.8 cm.)
In a carved and gilded frame by Maple & Co. Ltd. London.

Exhibited

London, The New Gallery, Summer Exhibition 1909.

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Lot Essay

The Last Days of Pompeii written by Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1804, describes the destruction of the city of Pompeii when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. One theme the book explores is unrequited love. Nydia, a blind slave girl, falls in love with a handsome Athenian, Glaucus. He is imprisoned by an evil Egyptian priest because he is in love with the beautiful Ione, whom the priest wants for himself. Just as Glaucus is about to be thrown to the lions, Mount Vesuvius erupts destroying Pompeii. Nydia rescues both Ione and Glaucus, and, since she was able to find her way through the blackened streets, leads them to the safety of the boats in the harbour. Once on board Nydia realizes Glaucus will always be in love with Ione, and she throws herself overboard in despair to her death.

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