Description

Reference No.: 78J/ 2689A

Origin: Flanders-Brussels

Period: 17th century

Provenance: Private Collection

Composition: Wool and silk

Dimension: W 2.40 x H 2.70

Brussels tapestry in wool and silk with Ulysses et Circé decoration in an architectural and landscaped setting.

Rich border decorated with flowers and fruits.

Ulysses in the magician Circé's house is an adventure of the Odyssey.

Delivered from the Cyclops, Ulysses and his companions were stranded on the island of Ayayé. Ulysses' companions set off to explore the island while Ulysses remained alone on the boat. His companions arrive in a valley where Circé's house is located. The latter opens the door and they all enter except Euryloquy who smells like a trap... Circé welcomes them warmly. She gives them cheese, flour, honey in Pramnos wine in a golden cup where she puts a drug.

All drink their cups and Circé touches them and all turn into pigs. Euryloquy runs to warn Ulysses. He arrives in the valley and sees that Euryloque is right. While Odysseus looks at Circe's house, Hermes (messenger of the gods) surprises Odysseus.

They get to know each other and Hermes gives Ulysses advice and a herb to counter the magic of Circé. He wants to free his companions from this fate at all costs. He takes his courage in both hands and enters Circé's house. She welcomes him as her companions and he drinks the drugs that Circé has prepared.

But, to the magician's great surprise, when she touches him with her wand, Ulysses, son of Laërte, does not change. He jumps to her throat and threatens to kill her. Then, Circé promised him to give his companions back their human form in exchange, they would become lovers.

The magician does what she promises and reverses the metamorphosis to Ulysses' companions.

In this story, Ulysses shows that he is courageous, concerned about his companions. But Circé shows that she is not a civilized being because she transforms humans into animals and that she is very selfish because she is in love with Ulysses even if he does not love her. Ulysses, on the other hand, is a civilized being because he respects the rules of hospitality.

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