Odysseus verlaat Circe 1633

Theodoor van Thulden's 1633 engraving, "Odysseus verlaat Circe," depicts the Greek hero Odysseus leaving the island of Aeaea, where he had been held captive by the sorceress Circe. The scene is packed with figures, emphasizing the chaotic departure, as Odysseus and his men struggle to leave the island and its enchantments behind. This scene is a powerful image of the dangers and challenges of the journey home, making it an important work for understanding the epic poem, *The Odyssey*. The engraving's detailed and emotive composition highlights van Thulden's mastery of this genre, which was immensely popular in the Dutch Golden Age.