The two paintings here portray the blinding of the Cyclops by Odysseus. Although they portray the same scene, the way it is portrayed is vastly different. The painting on the left focuses on the brutality if the scene. The face Odysseus makes while blinding the Cyclops indicates some sort of brutality and rage on his part. The Cyclops crying out in pain with a stick in his eye is also an image that sears into the mind. However, it isn’t an accurate portrayal of the text. In the text, Odysseus and his crew mates carry the stick together to blind the Cyclops. I think this painting downplays that in order to make Odysseus more heroic than he is in the text. The painting on the right however, is a more accurate depiction of the text. It shows the teamwork that Odysseus used in the text that the left painting completely ignores. Even though the Cyclops is about to get blinded in this painting, there is still a sense of peacefulness present here, especially with the way the fire turns into a curled smoke. Something that should be noted is the placement of Odysseus in both paintings. On the left he is right in the center, but on the right he’s more closer to the edge of the painting. This could mean the the actual act of blinding the Cyclops isn’t the main focus of the right image. In fact, the focus of this painting is to highlight the grand size difference between the Cyclops and Odysseus (and his crew). Another thing that should be noted is how the Cyclops looks in both paintings. In the right painting the Cyclops is much more of a beast than the painting on the left. The out of shape body, the fangs on his teeth make him look like a horrific monster. The left painting however, makes him look like a human. He has a defined body, maintained hair and a normal looking mouth. In fact, the Cyclops in this painting could pass for a Greek god if he had one more eye.
The left painting i feel leaves much to be needed. It portrays the magnificence of Odysseus but neglects all other aspects aside from the brutality of the act. I feel like you said the right painting is a calmer more accurate depiction of the scene as it happened. The painter also shows parts of the story such as the ram and the goats that they use to escape after blinding the cyclops. The greater detail adds a lot to the painting rather than just the glorification of Odysseus in the left painting.
The analysis compared both paintings and broke down the similarities and differences. Unfortunately, there was no name for either artist. It helps the reader understand where these pictures come from and why the artist chose the certain patterns. I personally would have preferred if you broke each painting into its own category. Going back and forth with each picture, makes it harder for the reader to figure out which picture your talking about when one sentence says the left one and then few lines later its the right one then switches back. Overall, i enjoyed reading this analysis and it got to the point of the assignment.
Your analysis is spot on. The one on the left focuses solely on Odysseus and Polyphemus. It lacks a lot of the details from the story that second image displays. The clothing that Odysseus is wearing in the first image is interesting because it is bright and vibrant, probably meaning to emphasize his importance and stature. The image on the right has most of the details from the text and Polyphemus does not look as muscular as he does in the first image. The second imager is better for analyzing and looking at to gain a better perspective, whereas the first image directly depicts the plot and does not draw away from the main point with details.
There is clearly a difference in what two painters want to express in their work. The left painting primarily focus on Odysseus’s heroic moment as he blinds Polyphemus while looking extra flashy for a wanderer. Also Polyphemus looking just as muscular as Odysseus also adds up to the glorious scene. In contrast, the right painting looks more peaceful and calm. The giant looks less godlike and Odysseus’s act of stabbing the timber into Cyclop’s eyes is far less intense. I enjoy your analysis of these binary paintings.
There are some difference and similarity, first image is more brutal than second one, and focused on brutality and act as your analysis. In a second image, the artist focused on body shape of Cyclops and difference in physique, looks more beast than first one. The wisdom and braveness of Odysseus and crews are expressed on both of images in general.
Dear Jakub,
The greatest strength of this analysis lies in its careful attention to detail–for example, pointing out that the curled smoke in the painting on the right recruits the viewer’s attention and in so doing changes his or her perception of the scene. You also rightly note how the inclusion or exclusion of Odysseus’ crew changes the story being told–as do changes to the depiction of Polyphemus.
It would be helpful, here, to include information on who painted each picture, and when. The first is by Pellegrino Tibaldi (1527-1596). I’m less familiar with the second image–I’d love to know more!!
Great job overall.
Best,
Prof Kolb