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The Cleveland Museum of Art
Hermes Ordering Calypso to Release Odysseus
Description
The Greek goddess Calypso held the hero Odysseus captive for seven years, preventing his return home from the Trojan War. Despite Calypso’s charms and the luxurious surroundings, Odysseus longed for his home and family, so the Olympian gods finally allowed his freedom. Here, the god Hermes swoops down to free Odysseus from Calypso’s embrace. De Lairesse, popularly known as the “Dutch Poussin,” introduced to the Netherlands a classicizing style influenced by artists of the French Academy.
Provenance
Thomas Wodehouse Legh, 2nd Baron Newton [1857-1942], Cheshire, upon his death, probably held in trust by the estate; (Sale, Sotheby’s London, July 17, 1946, lot 63, sold to Julius Singer)1; (Julius Singer, London, probably sold to a Rio de Janeiro private collector); Private collection, Rio de Janeiro; (Christie’s, New York, sale, Oct. 9, 1991, lot 195, sold to Johnny van Haeften, Ltd.); (Johnny van Haeften, Ltd., London, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Ohio
Dimensions
91.4 × 113.7 cm
Movement / Period
Accession No
1992.2
Official Citations
Curatorial Affinity Stream
Continuing the Universe of Gerard de Lairesse (Flemish, 1641–1711)
European Painting and Sculpture • Netherlands • Harmonious Works & Contemporaries
Continuous Discovery