Ulysses and the Sirens (Waterhouse)

Ulysses and the Sirens is an 1891 painting by Pre-Raphaelite artist John William Waterhouse. It is currently held in the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.[1]

Not to be confused with The Sirens and Ulysses.
For the Herbert James Draper painting of the same name, see Ulysses and the Sirens (Draper).
Ulysses and the Sirens
ArtistJohn William Waterhouse
Year1891
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensions100.6 cm × 202.0 cm (39.6 in × 79.5 in)
LocationNational Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia

Description
A 5th-century BC Greek vase in the British Museum with illustrations of Sirens similar to those in Ulysses and the Sirens

The work depicts a scene from the ancient Greek epic the Odyssey, in which the Sirens attempt to use their enchanting song to lure the titular hero Odysseus and his crew towards deadly waters. As per the Odyssey, 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 contemporary Victorian era conceptions. While many of the original audience had expected to see the Sirens as mermaid-like nymphs, 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 critic Marion 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]

Exhibition

The painting was first exhibited in 1891 at the Royal Academy, London to critical acclaim for the imaginative and romantic representation of its subject.[3] In the June of that year, Sir Hubert von Herkomer purchased the work for the National Gallery of Victoria, and it has been in their collection since.[1]

References
  1. "Ulysses and the Sirens". NGV. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  2. Homer. "The Odyssey, Book XII". The Internet Classics Archive. Translated by Samuel Butler. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  3. Bonollo, Michelle (June 4, 2014). "J. W. Waterhouse's Ulysses and the Sirens: breaking tradition and revealing fears". NGV. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
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