Artwork
Odysseus and Kalypso
Odysseus and Kalypso is an oil painting by the German Expressionist artist Max Beckmann. It dates from 1943 and is held in the collection of the Hamburger Kunsthalle.
About this work
Overview
Odysseus and Kalypso is a 1943 oil painting by German artist Max Beckmann, combining a classical mythological subject with a characteristic sense of tension.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a sensual, yet uneasy, encounter between Odysseus and Kalypso. A coiled snake around Odysseus' legs and a lurking cat behind Kalypso introduce elements of foreboding, reflecting Beckmann's inclination to imbue traditional themes with unease.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil paint, the work features warm, expressive tones for the figures set against a muted gray background. While Beckmann's style is often discussed in relation to Expressionism, his approach here aligns more closely with the New Objectivity movement he identified with in the 1920s.
History & Provenance
Created in 1943, the painting is now part of the Hamburger Kunsthalle's collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Max Carl Friedrich Beckmann (February 12, 1884 – December 27, 1950) was a German painter, draftsman, printmaker, sculptor, and writer.
