Who painted Ulysses and Circe?

Ulysses and Circe was painted by Giovanni Andrea Sirani in 1650.

Where can I see Ulysses and Circe?

Ulysses and Circe is held by Capitoline Museums.

Can I buy a print of Ulysses and Circe?

Museum-quality prints of Ulysses and Circe are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Ulysses and Circe

Giovanni Andrea Sirani , 1650

Ulysses and Circe is an oil painting by Giovanni Andrea Sirani. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Capitoline Museums.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1650, *Ulysses and Circa* is an oil painting by the Bolognese Baroque artist Giovanni Andrea Sirani. Executed after his apprenticeship with Giacomo Cavedone and his later work in Guido Reni’s studio, the canvas reflects the dynamic visual language that characterized mid‑seventeenth‑century Bologna. The work is presently part of the Capitoline Museums’ collection.

Subject & Meaning

The composition illustrates a moment from Homer’s *Odyssey* in which the hero Ulysses confronts the sorceress Circe. Circe occupies a throne‑like seat, robed in pale white and yellow fabrics, clutching a staff and a cup, while Ulysses stands to her right in armor, a red cape, and a sword at his side. Their interaction suggests the pivotal dialogue that determines the hero’s fate.

Technique & Style

Sirani employs the Baroque hallmarks of chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts of light and shadow to model the figures and give depth to the stone architecture behind them. The paint is applied with a noticeable impasto, especially on the drapery and the metallic surfaces, creating a tactile surface that enhances the dramatic tension of the scene.

History & Provenance

After its completion in the early 1650s, the painting entered the holdings of the Capitoline Museums, where it has remained on public display. Its provenance traces back to the artist’s workshop in Bologna, reflecting the city’s role as a hub for artistic production during the Baroque period.

Context

Sirani’s work belongs to a broader Bolognese tradition that blended the classical idealism of Guido Reni with the vigorous naturalism of the Carracci circle. The mythological subject aligns with contemporary tastes for grand narrative scenes drawn from classical literature, a popular genre among patrons of the time.