This work was commissioned by Powell as evidenced by a letter from Zwecker to Powell; ''The picture succeeded better than I expected. The colours of the Nautilus and deep, deep blue sea, blend beautifully. I really thank you did give me to do such a bold bit of colouring... I hope you will send me some new ideas for painting, I shall be delighted to embody them with brush and colour''. Zwecker had especially purchased a specimen of a Nautilus for this painting. It is not clear whether this work relates to a particular legend. Where the alternative title 'A Dream in Fever' comes from is not clear as Zwecker always refers to the painting simply as 'The Nautilus'
Mythical / fantastical illustration? with two figures and a nautilus shell. A chained, nude male figure lies in a nautilus shell the latter floating on a calm blue sea. The male figure looks down into the water at a submerged female figure / mermaid? with long blond hair. She looks up at the man and offers her left hand towards him. Flat sea horizon in background. Painted in detail with washes and body colour
