This classical oil painting depicts the mythological scene of Echo and Narcissus. On the left, a fair-skinned woman with flowing auburn hair and a draped, terracotta-coloured garment stands partially hidden by the trunk of a large, dark tree. She leans forward, her expression filled with longing as she gazes toward the right side of the frame. Her posture is soft and contemplative, grounding the left side of the composition.
To the right, Narcissus is reclined on a mossy, rocky ledge that overlooks a dark, still forest pool. He wears a crown of leaves and is draped in a vibrant red cloth. His attention is entirely consumed by his own reflection in the water, his face bowed low. A wide-brimmed straw hat rests discarded on the rocks beside him. The background is a lush, shadowed woodland scene with deep greens and golden highlights, suggesting dappled sunlight filtering through the dense canopy of trees.
The artwork is rendered in a realistic, romantic style characteristic of the late 19th century, featuring a rich palette of deep earth tones, dark forest greens, and striking contrasts of red and flesh tones. The lighting creates an intimate and melancholy atmosphere, focusing the viewer's eye on the tension between the yearning woman and the self-absorbed youth. The brushwork is smooth and detailed, emphasizing the textures of the foliage, the rough stone, and the soft fabric of the figures' clothing.