Paintings
Hermes Ordering Calypso to Release Odysseus
Permanent ExhibitionPaintingMythology & Allegory
Details
- Author / creator
- Gerard de Lairesse (Flemish, 1641–1711)
- Object type
- Painting
- Date or period
- c. 1670
- Dimensions summary
- Framed: 118.5 × 140 × 9 cm; Unframed: 91.4 × 113.7 cm
- Support
- Canvas
- Paint medium
- Oil
- Place of origin
- Netherlands
- Acquisition method
- Purchase
- Credit line
- Purchased with the V&A Purchase Grant Fund, 1992
- Image rights
- Public domain (CC0)
About this object
The Greek goddess Calypso held the hero Odysseus captive for seven years, preventing his return home from the Trojan War. Despite Calypso’s charms and the luxurious surroundings, Odysseus longed for his home and family, so the Olympian gods finally allowed his freedom. Here, the god Hermes swoops down to free Odysseus from Calypso’s embrace. De Lairesse, popularly known as the “Dutch Poussin,” introduced to the Netherlands a classicizing style influenced by artists of the French Academy.
Materials and technique
Oil on canvas
