Fotoreproductie van een tekening, voorstellende Polyphemos gooit een rotsblok naar Odysseus en zijn gevolg before 1859

This is a reproduction of a drawing by Franz Mattig depicting Polyphemos throwing a boulder at Odysseus and his men. Here, Mattig situates us within a pivotal scene from Homer's Odyssey, a foundational text in the Western canon. The image stages a brutal encounter between the monstrous cyclops Polyphemus and the cunning hero Odysseus, a narrative steeped in themes of power, vengeance, and survival. Polyphemus, often seen as a symbol of brute force, stands in stark contrast to Odysseus, who represents intellect and strategic prowess. In the original, Odysseus blinds the cyclops after getting him drunk, an act which enables his escape and exemplifies the triumph of wit over might. Mattig captures the moment when the enraged Polyphemus hurls a massive rock at Odysseus' fleeing ship, a desperate act of retribution. The drawing doesn't necessarily challenge established representations, but rather reinforces the epic's exploration of the human condition. The cyclops embodies primal rage, while Odysseus, a symbol of resilience, navigates a world filled with dangers. This image serves as a stark reminder of the enduring power of classical narratives and their ability to echo our own contemporary struggles.