Ulysses in the Cave of Polyphemus

Jacob Jordaens the elder, artist

1593–1678

Ulysses in the Cave of Polyphemus, circa 1635–1640

Where object was made: Belgium

Material/technique: paper; oil; canvas

Dimensions:
Canvas/Support (Height x Width x Depth): 55.2 x 78.1 cm
Canvas/Support (Height x Width x Depth): 21 3/4 x 30 3/4 in

Credit line: Museum purchase: Patrons and Benefactors Fund

Accession number: 1970.0009

Not on display

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Archive Label:
In Homer's Odyssey, Polyphemus, a huge, one-eyed giant, lived in a cave where he imprisoned Ulysses and twelve of his companions. Ulysses and six of his party succeeded in escaping, but not before Polyphemus had eaten the other six. Ulysses first made the giant drunk with wine and then blinded him by driving a stake into his one eye. Next morning when Polyphemus rolled the stone away from the cave entrance to let his flocks out, Ulysses and his comrades clung to the thick fleece of the rams' bellies and rode out safely.

This oil on paper sketch is one of several works based on Homer's Odyssey designed by Jordaens during this period. The Pushkin Museum, Moscow, owns a finished painting by Jordaens that is a variant on this sketch.