Label Text:
A founding member of the British Royal Academy, Angelica Kauffman was born in Switzerland, but most of her artistic life was spent in Italy, where she came under the influence of the nascent Neoclassical movement, and in London, where she lived from 1766 until 1780. After her marriage to the painter Antonio Zucchi, she returned to Italy, and settled in Rome.
THE RETURN OF TELEMACHUS is one of several paintings by the artist based on themes from the Odyssey dealing specifically with the character of Penelope. In this work, which follows Homer’s description in Book XVII, Telemachus, having found his father, leaves Odysseus to return to his mother Penelope. His aged nurse Eurycleia, who stands at right with outstretched arms, first recognizes him. Telemachus, who had initially departed without his mother’s blessing, embraces the virtuous and beautiful Penelope, who welcomes him home.
(Carol Solomon-Kiefer)
Tags:
animals; mythology; figures; narrative; women Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=AC+1984.91 |
