Odyssseus and the Sirens 

Victor Müller made this drawing “Odysseus and the Sirens," using pencil on paper, giving us a glimpse into the artist's interpretation of Homer's epic tale. Müller, working in a time of burgeoning nationalism, taps into classical narratives, but it is also a very interior moment. In this image, the story of Odysseus becomes a battle of the self, desire, and reason. The sirens symbolize temptation, embodying the seductive power that can lead one astray. Meanwhile, Odysseus, bound to the mast, represents the struggle to maintain control, a very masculine, almost heroic stance. The act of binding himself becomes a metaphor for the constraints we place upon ourselves in the pursuit of our goals. It prompts us to reflect on the choices we make, the desires we suppress, and the price we pay in our own journeys.