https://fineartamerica.com/featured/odysseus-and-polyphemus-arnold-boecklin.html
The image in this first link, is from the Scene when the Polyphemus the one eyed Cyclops try to through a rock at Odysseus and his crew after they tricked him and stabbed him in the eye making him furious. The artist that painted this image name is Arnold Boecklin. I did image the Cyclops to look huge and sloppy, especially how he was described in the Homer Poem. In this painting, the Artist is giving the Cyclops a more God Like Greek man look, strong body, muscular body, about 20 times bigger than the average human. This painting gives the cyclops much more of humane look. Also this painting gives us a visual of why it’s so hard for Odysseus and crew cannot make it home. The boats that they used, the men had to physically use the oars and push the water a certain way for the boat to travel, especially without the right amount of wind. I envisioned when the Cyclops threw the rock, they was still close to the shore and the sand of the beach. The artist got straight to the point. The artist added movement to the ocean using Waves, the men are having a hard time getting to boat out to sea. The waves look as if its pulling them in and pushing them back out. The artist downplayed the Odysseus and the Crew in the ship.
https://fineartamerica.com/featured/cyclops-angus-mcbride.html
The image in this second link is by an Artist names Angus McBride. In both paintings it’s evident that these two artist have the same idea about the Cyclops, big and strong a humane look, with muscular body. This artist did not down play Odysseus, the artist actually gives Odysseus the strength that we perceived while reading the Odyssey. The artist chose to keep this painting, possibly to give the viewer a chance to tap in their own imagination. The face the artist uses for Polyphemus face is angry, vengeful, you can feel the wrath. Also looking at how Odysseus is standing up holding his hands outward facing the Cyclops, shows his power. Both Cyclops and Odysseus are demonstrating fearlessness and power. This artist downplays the power of the waves and they have some wind to push out their sail boat.
Overall both paintings give a clear vision of the event when the Cyclops was furious trying to through the rock at Odysseus and crew sail boat. While reading the text I had a different image in my head. The text was extremely descriptive.
I think you analysis of both artists displaying a human-like appearance of the Cyclops is very interesting. Also the fact that the first image seems to have more movement and interest than the second image. I feel that the first painting focuses more on the actual boat and Odysseus rather than the Cyclops. Maybe he wanted to display that the Cyclops is no threat to Odysseus and is just another part of his journey. Odysseus is about to encounter a far greater danger in the open sea. The second image has a much larger focus on the Cyclops. Odysseus is pretty much coming into direct contact with the Cyclops which I feel portrays Odysseus as a much greater hero than in the first image. I feel that in the first image Odysseus is almost running away.
Dear Kristina,
These are striking images, both, and you do an excellent job analyzing them. As you note, in the first picture, the power of the waves is very much apparent; the second image focuses primarily on the conflict between the two figures, Odysseus and Polyphemus. As you note, both artist’s portray the Cyclops as an enormous (and enormously strong) anthropomorphic (human-like) creature. There are, however, differences–McBride has the Cyclops stand upright, confronting Odysseus face to face, while Boecklin has him bending to swing the rock–a dynamic figure in motion.
I’d love to hear more on the differences between these figures, from your perspective. But overall, this is a very strong response. Well done!
Best,
Prof Kolb