Circe, Ulysses, and Mercury c. 1766

"Circe, Ulysses, and Mercury" is a drawing by Italian artist Gaetano Gandolfi from around 1766. It depicts the mythological scene of the sorceress Circe transforming Ulysses's men into swine, with Mercury intervening. The sketch is rendered in a loose and gestural style, using brown washes and pen on paper to capture the dramatic and tumultuous scene. The figures are barely recognizable in the sketch, suggesting Gandolfi focused on capturing the energy and movement of the story rather than precise detail. This drawing offers a fascinating glimpse into Gandolfi's creative process, revealing his initial ideas for a larger composition.