Odysseus and Nausicaa c. 1655

Salvator Rosa painted ‘Odysseus and Nausicaa’ using oil on canvas to bring Homer’s epic tale to life. Rosa's artistic process involved layering oil paints to create depth and drama, evident in the stormy sky and rugged coastline. But let’s consider the materiality of Odysseus’s near nakedness – how his body is presented as vulnerable, in need of the very textile offered by Nausicaa. Rosa, who lived in a time of political upheaval, presents us with a scene ripe with social commentary. Consider the contrast between Odysseus's vulnerable state and Nausicaa's offering of clothing, which underscores themes of hospitality, charity, and the obligations of the privileged towards the less fortunate. Ultimately, the painting invites us to look beyond its aesthetic qualities and consider the social and moral implications embedded within its making.