About this artwork
Philips Galle created this engraving, “De Phaiaken dragen de slapende Odysseus naar Ithaka,” sometime in the late 16th century. Galle was a printmaker in Antwerp, a city that served as a major hub for the production and distribution of images at this time. This print depicts a scene from Homer's Odyssey, where the Phaeacians carry the sleeping Odysseus back to his home island of Ithaka. Galle's work reflects a broader cultural interest in classical literature and mythology during the Renaissance. The image is made in the Netherlands, a place known for its strong trade routes and its printing industry. This helped the Dutch to spread information and art. As a historian, understanding this artwork requires us to consider the interplay between artistic production, classical learning, and the socio-economic context of 16th-century Europe. Researching Galle's career and the cultural milieu of Antwerp would further illuminate the meanings and functions of this print.
De Phaiaken dragen de slapende Odysseus naar Ithaka
1547 - 1570
Philips Galle
1537 - 1612Location
RijksmuseumArtwork details
- Medium
- print, etching, engraving
- Dimensions
- height 254 mm, width 329 mm
- Location
- Rijksmuseum
- Copyright
- Rijks Museum: Open Domain
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About this artwork
Philips Galle created this engraving, “De Phaiaken dragen de slapende Odysseus naar Ithaka,” sometime in the late 16th century. Galle was a printmaker in Antwerp, a city that served as a major hub for the production and distribution of images at this time. This print depicts a scene from Homer's Odyssey, where the Phaeacians carry the sleeping Odysseus back to his home island of Ithaka. Galle's work reflects a broader cultural interest in classical literature and mythology during the Renaissance. The image is made in the Netherlands, a place known for its strong trade routes and its printing industry. This helped the Dutch to spread information and art. As a historian, understanding this artwork requires us to consider the interplay between artistic production, classical learning, and the socio-economic context of 16th-century Europe. Researching Galle's career and the cultural milieu of Antwerp would further illuminate the meanings and functions of this print.
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