Jacques Cazotte's "Le Diable amoureux" (2nd vignette)

Félix-Hilaire Buhot

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a mythical seascape. The image shows a mermaid with an upraised arm, sitting on a sea creature. Surrounding her are turbulent waves. Above the mermaid, an angel-like figure with wings floats, holding a scroll or fabric. In the background, there is a castle-like structure on a rocky coast, under a spiked crown sky. A ship sails towards the sunset on the horizon. Decorative skulls and shells are present along the border.