Circe and Glaucus

Artist/Maker

Material / Technique

Dimensionsh x w: Mått 25,6 x 20,9 cm

Inventory numberNMH 1263/1863

Other titlesTitle (sv): Circe och Glaucus Title (en): Circe and Glaucus

DescriptionDescription: Numbered in pen and black ink in lower right corner: 1083 (Sparre). Inscribed in pen and brown ink in top left corner: Glauco suplica Circe ad......gli Andi (Honori?) di Sat. The attribution is due to Philip Pouncey. Both sides of this drawing have subjects connected with the sea. Neptune and Amphitrite who appear on the verso, surrounded by nereids and tritons, were the god and goddess of the sea. Glaucus was a fisherman who had become a sea god by eating part of the divine herb that Cronos had sown. He fell in love with the beautiful water-nymph Scylla. She did not return his love, however, and Glaucus decided to consult the enchantress Circe who dwelt on the island of Aeaea. Circe was not insensible to the attraction of the deity and decided to transform Scylla into a terrible sea-monster who took pleasure in devouring helpless mariners who came within her grasp. There is another version of Neptune and Amphitrite offering a drink to Neptune, probably for a ceiling decoration, in the British Museum. [Bjurström, It. Drawings, cat. no. 1338 (recto)]

Collection

Geographical origin

MaterialPaper, Red crayon (Crayon), Ink

TechniqueDrawing, Wash drawing, Drawing

Object category