Who painted Design for a Book Illustration of Circe and Odysseus [recto]?

Design for a Book Illustration of Circe and Odysseus [recto] was painted by Thomas Stothard in 1803.

Where can I see Design for a Book Illustration of Circe and Odysseus [recto]?

Design for a Book Illustration of Circe and Odysseus [recto] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Design for a Book Illustration of Circe and Odysseus [recto]?

Design for a Book Illustration of Circe and Odysseus [recto] is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Design for a Book Illustration of Circe and Odysseus [recto]

Thomas Stothard , 1803

Design for a Book Illustration of Circe and Odysseus [recto] is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Thomas Stothard. It dates from 1803 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1803, this drawing by Thomas Stothard serves as a preparatory design for a book illustration of the mythic meeting between Circe and Odysseus. Executed in pen and ink with a gray wash applied over graphite on wove paper, the work exemplifies the artist’s practice of translating literary narratives into visual form for publication.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures the moment from Homer’s Odyssey when the sorceress Circe confronts the wandering hero Odysseus. Stothard emphasizes the interaction between the two figures, using their gestures and positioning to suggest a dialogue of power and persuasion that lies at the heart of the ancient tale.

Technique & Style

Stothard employs fine pen lines to delineate the figures, while varying densities of gray and brown ink create depth and volume. A subtle gray wash laid over the graphite underdrawing unifies the scene, producing a tonal harmony characteristic of early‑19th‑century British illustration.

History & Provenance

The drawing originates from Stothard’s workshop in London, where he regularly produced designs for literary publications. It remained within his estate after his death and later entered a private collection, documented in early 20th‑century catalogues of British illustrative art.

Context

During the turn of the 19th century, British illustrators frequently prepared detailed drawings as templates for engravings in printed books. Stothard’s focus on narrative subjects aligns with the era’s demand for visual accompaniments to classical literature, a market that supported his prolific output as painter, illustrator, and engraver.