Arnold Böcklin, Pan in the Reeds, c. 1856/1857

Arnold Böcklin’s Pan in the Reeds tells a story of unfulfilled love. In his Metamorphoses, the Roman poet Ovid describes how Pan fell in love with the nymph Syrinx. However, she was repelled by his advances, fled and implored the gods for help. They responded to her plea and instantly transformed the nymph into reeds.