Artwork

The Return of Ulysses. Scene from Homer´s Ulysses

The Return of Ulysses. Scene from Homer´s Ulysses, by Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, oil, 1812
The Return of Ulysses. Scene from Homer´s Ulysses, by Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, oil, 1812

The Return of Ulysses. Scene from Homer´s Ulysses is an oil painting by the Neoclassicist artist Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg. It dates from 1812 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg's 1812 oil painting, 'The Return of Ulysses,' is a neoclassical work depicting a scene from Homer's 'Odyssey.'

Subject & Meaning

The painting illustrates Odysseus' homecoming, showing a wounded man, likely Odysseus, being tended to by a woman in a yellow dress. The scene is set in a domestic interior with other figures and antique elements, conveying a moment of relief and care.

Technique & Style

Eckersberg's use of oil paint and neoclassical style emphasizes the classical subject matter. The composition includes a range of figures and objects, arranged to create a sense of quiet tension.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of the collection at Statens Museum for Kunst, reflecting its significance in Danish art history. Eckersberg, known as the 'Father of Danish painting,' created the work early in his career.

Artist & collection