Rijksmuseum
Hermes Orders Calypso to Release Odysseus
1670
De Lairesse was well versed in the classics. Here he portrayed a story in Homer’s Odyssey, the epic poem about Odysseus’ wanderings after the fall of Troy. During his journey the Greek hero lands on Ogygia, the island ruled by the goddess Calypso. She falls in love with him, and detains him for seven years. Ultimately the Olympian gods prevail upon her, through their messenger Hermes, to release Odysseus.
🔒
Order museum-quality prints
Sign in to order prints, canvas, and more of this work. Browsing and full-resolution downloads stay free.
