Arnold Böcklin, born on October 16, 1827, in Basel, established himself as one of the major representatives of 19th-century Symbolism in Europe, embracing not only painting but also drawing, engraving, and sculpture. This merchant's son, after embracing the arts at the Düsseldorf Academy of Fine Arts between 1845 and 1847, immersed himself in enriching study trips, finding inspiration in the work of Peter Paul Rubens in Belgium and diligently studying masterpieces at the Louvre in Paris in 1848.
Böcklin engaged in a constant dialogue with the "old masters," creating his first distinctive landscapes in Basel in 1850. He explored natural landscapes, imbuing them with vibrant light and colors, oscillating between shadow and clarity, thus illustrating the conceptual depth of his work. His notoriety increased with the creation of "Pan in the Reeds" in 1859, a work that testifies to his preference for natural representations imbued with symbolism.
Until his last breath on January 16, 1901, in San Domenico, near Florence, Arnold Böcklin continued to paint and sculpt, leaving behind a rich and varied artistic legacy, marked by his incessant exploration of light, color, and symbolism.