Der Tempel der Melusine

Art Historical Context

**Der Tempel der Melus** (The Temple of Melusine created by German artist Julius Naue in1869, is a architectural fantasy rendered in pencil and pen on tracing paper on cardboard. Measuring 35.5 x 57.5 cm, this drawing exemplifies the Romantic era's fascination with mythical landscapes and imagined ruins. Naue, known for his precise depictions of neoclassical and Gothic-inspired structures, blends architectural accuracy with poetic invention, evoking a sense of timeless mystery. The title references Melusine, a legendary water nymph from medieval European folklore—often depicted as a serpent-t...