Ontmoeting van Odysseus en Penelope Possibly 1788

This stipple engraving of ‘The Meeting of Ulysses and Penelope’ was created by Francesco Bartolozzi. Note how the composition is framed within an oval, focusing our gaze on the reunion of Ulysses and Penelope. Bartolozzi masterfully uses the stipple technique to create soft tonal gradations, enhancing the emotional depth of the scene. The texture of the figures' clothing contrasts with the smooth skin, creating a tactile sense of the artwork. The gaze is led from the embrace of Ulysses and Penelope, up the spear to Athena seated above. This may suggest an element of divine oversight or perhaps intervention in human affairs. The lines and curves of the bodies express a sense of longing and relief. This intimate moment becomes part of a larger narrative about homecoming, recognition, and the reaffirmation of social and divine order, inviting endless interpretations.