| Ulysses and the Sirens | |
|---|---|
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| Artist | John William Waterhouse |
| Year | 1891 |
| Medium | oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 100.6 cm × 202.0 cm (39.6 in × 79.5 in) |
| Location | National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia |
Ulysses and the Sirens is an 1891 painting by thePre-Raphaelite artistJohn William Waterhouse. It is currently held in theNational Gallery of Victoria,Melbourne, Australia.[1]
The work depicts a scene from theancient Greekepic theOdyssey, in which theSirens attempt to use their enchanting song to lure the titular heroOdysseus and his crew towards deadly waters. As per theOdyssey, Odysseus' crew had already blocked their ears to protect themselves from the Sirens' singing, but Odysseus, wanting to hear the Sirens, had ordered his crew to tie him to the mast so that he may have the pleasure of listening without risking himself or his ship.[2]
The most controversial aspect of Waterhouse's painting was his depiction of the Sirens, as it differed greatly from contemporaryVictorian era conceptions. While many of the original audience had expected to see the Sirens asmermaid-likenymphs, they were surprised to find them as bird-like creatures with women's heads.[1] However, at the time of initial exhibition,The Magazine of Art criticMarion H. Spielmann noted that the idea of half-bird, half-woman Sirens is supported by depictions of Sirens similar to Waterhouse's on classical Greek vases.[3]
The painting was first exhibited in 1891 at theRoyal Academy, London to critical acclaim for the imaginative andromantic representation of its subject.[3] In June of that year, SirHubert von Herkomer purchased work for theNational Gallery of Victoria, and it has since remained in the museum's collection.[1]
