Odysseus and Calypso 1882

Arnold Böcklin’s 1882 painting *Odysseus and Calypso* depicts a scene from Homer’s *Odyssey*. Calypso, a nymph, sits on a red cloth within a cave, while Odysseus stands on a rocky outcrop, staring out at the sea. The painting’s dramatic composition and symbolic imagery, typical of Böcklin's style, create an atmosphere of melancholy and longing as Odysseus chooses to leave his idyllic imprisonment and return home. This artwork exemplifies Böcklin’s signature style, characterized by a blend of realism and symbolism often depicting mythological and allegorical themes.