In 1912, Debussy, accompanied by his daughter Chouchou, visited an exhibition of the illustrator Arthur Rackham in Paris, where he was inspired by the illustrations for the fairy tale Undine by the German writer Friedrich de la Motte Fouqué (1777-1843). The capricious movements of the water spirit are expressed through four motifs, each possessing a distinct character. Following a 10-measure introduction, Motif A (measures 11-13) appears, characterized by sparkle and tenderness, leading into Motif B (measures 16-17), which ascends and descends sequentially, and then Motif C (measures 18-19) in the alto voice, accompanied by leaping arpeggios. From the middle of the piece, Motif D (measures 30-31) emerges, characterized by repeated notes, developing while interweaving with the previously introduced Motifs B and C. The piece concludes with a return to Motif A, quietly fading out as if depicting the water spirit disappearing into the water (see schematic diagram).

Schematic Diagram