Focus painting
October Focus: Light and Dark
The subject for this painting is taken from Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey. Ulysses and his men are escaping after blinding the Cyclops, Polyphemus. The cyclops's mauve, shadowy figure is rising up above the cliff face - one hand is held to his wounded face. The other about to cast a rock towards the ship.
Turner’s exciting use of effects of light and dark help us to understand the narrative. The red fire, smouldering in the dark mists, indicates the cave in which the men were held captive. The spectacle of the rising sun indicates that it is dawn, and there is hope for Ulysses and his men.
Just visible at the base of the sunrise are the outlines of the horses of Apollo, the sun god. Turner echoes the fan-like shape of the sun’s triumphant rays in the arrangement of the masts on Ulysses’ ship, which is led through the water by a host of phosphorescent nymphs at its prow.
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See also
- Events throughout the month related to Light and Dark
- Events throughout the month related to Light and Dark
- Free art: download Turner's 'Ulysses deriding Polyphemus'
