River Nymph (greeting card)

"River Nymph" (2013) is a colored pencil drawing by Prague artist Marie Brožová, created live in public in Kutná Hora (Czech Republic) as part of her long-term project The Defense of Colored Pencils. The original artwork is an A0 format, measuring 118.9 × 84.1 cm (46.8 × 33.1 inches). This piece from the Souls of Czech Rivers series was inspired by the Vrchlice River.

The Story Behind the Art

While the Vrchlice River may not be among the most famous Czech rivers, its cultural significance is undeniable. It gave its name to the renowned poet Jaroslav Vrchlický, whose relief is carved into the rock facing St. Barbara's Cathedral. His famous poem, "For a little bit of love I would go to the end of the world," is depicted in an open book by the riverbank. The diverse landscape of the river's canyon even inspired J. K. Tyl as he wrote the lyrics to "Where Is My Home," which later became the Czech national anthem. In the upper left, the majestic roof of St. Barbara's Cathedral reaches toward the sky. Meanwhile, a figure in a horned mask hidden among the trees nods to the archaeological sites in nearby Bylany, home to one of the oldest Neolithic settlements in the country. Vrchlice herself appears as a cheerful river nymph holding a bouquet of marsh marigolds.

Hidden Details to Discover

If you’re a musician, try playing the notes in the picture—it is a melody every Czech person will instantly recognize.

Available as: Available as: Fine Art Prints (A4–A0), Gallery-Quality Posters (A2–A0), Greeting Cards, the Souls of Czech Rivers Coloring Book.