Telemachus Describes How He Was Admitted into the Assembly in Crete, from The Adventures of Telemachus, Book 5 1808

Bartolomeo Pinelli rendered "Telemachus Describes How He Was Admitted into the Assembly in Crete" with pen, brown ink, and gray wash over graphite. Born in Rome, Pinelli was known for his costumi romani or Roman costumes and scenes, reflecting a fascination with the city’s past. Here, Pinelli illustrates a scene from François Fénelon’s "The Adventures of Telemachus," a popular didactic novel in the 18th and 19th centuries. Telemachus, son of Odysseus, recounts his acceptance into Cretan society. Pinelli was deeply influenced by the political and social upheavals of his time, including the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era. The revolution invited new ways of thinking about citizenship. The assembled figures represent the civic body, a space historically dominated by men. Telemachus’s inclusion suggests a broadening of who is considered worthy of participation. Yet, the scene also reinforces existing hierarchies, with Telemachus as the central, idealized figure, speaking before an audience of elders. Pinelli’s work offers a glimpse into the evolving ideals of citizenship and belonging during a period of profound social transformation, capturing the tensions between tradition and change.