Spring nymph of the Wirer Spring without Inscription

Like many things in Bad Ischl, this statue has to do with Dr. Wirer because it used to be found at the famous Wirer Spring.

A spring nymph, also known as a Naiad, is a mythological figure. It protects a body of water or a spring and gives the water healing properties. Unfortunately, if the spring dries up, its nymph dies as well. But in Ischl, the nymph lives on as a cast zinc statue in a new place, because it is now a house (Wirerquellgasse 18) where the Wirer Spring used to be.

Although there is no Latin inscription on the sculpture, this statue is very similar to works of art from ancient times. If you look closely, you can see many typical features from Greek art, even if this sculpture does not date from that period.

Interesting side note: This statue was apparently painted ochre and sprinkled with sand to make it look like the figure was carved out of sandstone.