De metgezellen van Odysseus maken de zak open waarin Aeolus de winden besloten had 1631 - 1633

Theodoor van Thulden made this pen and gray ink drawing called, ‘The Companions of Odysseus Open the Bag in Which Aeolus Had Confined the Winds,’ sometime in the 17th century. It illustrates a pivotal moment from Homer's Odyssey, a story that served as a cornerstone of classical education. Van Thulden likely intended this drawing as a preparatory study for a larger history painting or print. Consider the social function of art academies during this time. They promoted classical learning and the emulation of antique models. This drawing would have appealed to collectors who valued demonstrations of artistic skill and erudition. The choice of subject suggests a sophisticated audience familiar with classical literature, as well as a cultural elite invested in perpetuating this knowledge. The story, in which Odysseus's crew unleashes chaos through their own lack of discipline, might even reflect concerns about social order. To fully understand the drawing, we would turn to sources such as 17th century inventories, artist biographies, and treatises on art theory. Studying these things allow us to explore the complex relationship between art, learning, and social values in the early modern period.