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Jar (pelike) with Odysseus and Elpenor in the Underworld
Greek
Classical Period
about 440 B.C.
Place of Manufacture: Greece, Attica, Athens
Medium/Technique
Ceramic, Red Figure
Dimensions
Overall: 47.4cm (18 11/16in.)
Other (Height x diameter): 34.3 cm (13 1/2 in.)
Weight: 15 lb. (6.8 kg)
Other (Height x diameter): 34.3 cm (13 1/2 in.)
Weight: 15 lb. (6.8 kg)
Credit Line
William Amory Gardner Fund
Accession Number34.79
CollectionsAncient Greece and Rome
ClassificationsVessels
This pelike, a storage jar, illustrates one of the most poignant moments in Homer's Odyssey. Desperate to return home to Ithaka, Odysseus travels to the world of the dead seeking the advice of the prophet Teirisias. Two rams, sacrificed to bring forth the souls of the deceased, lie at his feet. Elpenor, a companion who died when he drunkenly fell from the roof of Circe's palace, appears first; he is restless because Odysseus, in his haste to depart the sorceress's island, did not give him a proper burial. Funerary rituals, especially for soldiers, were sacred to the ancient Greeks. Elpenor describes the traditional rite, requesting: "burn me with my armor, all that is mine, and heap up a mound for me on the shore of the gray sea" (Odyssey 11.74-75). The artist was probably inspired by Homer's description of the two former comrades facing each other with Odysseus's sword drawn.
Various details refer to ancient Greek customs of death, as well as attitudes toward age and life. The god Hermes (not mentioned in Homer's description), who accompanied the dead to the Underworld, stands by, wearing his customary winged hat and boots and holding his herald's staff. White paint-now flaked away, leaving only a dull sheen to the black slip-once demarcated a rocky, reedy landscape representing Hades; Homer's description probably inspired the Classical Greek concept of the Underworld. The artist also added white to Odysseus's beard, making him appear old, and pushed his traveler's hat back as a reminder of his weary journey. In contrast, Elpenor's young, fresh face and heroic physique echo the Greek ideal. This legendary figure stands in for the many youths who fell in battle in the prime of their lives, never to return home-a reality of war in ancient Greece.
Various details refer to ancient Greek customs of death, as well as attitudes toward age and life. The god Hermes (not mentioned in Homer's description), who accompanied the dead to the Underworld, stands by, wearing his customary winged hat and boots and holding his herald's staff. White paint-now flaked away, leaving only a dull sheen to the black slip-once demarcated a rocky, reedy landscape representing Hades; Homer's description probably inspired the Classical Greek concept of the Underworld. The artist also added white to Odysseus's beard, making him appear old, and pushed his traveler's hat back as a reminder of his weary journey. In contrast, Elpenor's young, fresh face and heroic physique echo the Greek ideal. This legendary figure stands in for the many youths who fell in battle in the prime of their lives, never to return home-a reality of war in ancient Greece.
Catalogue Raisonné
Caskey-Beazley, Attic Vase Paintings (MFA), no. 111; Highlights: Classical Art (MFA), p. 070-071.
DescriptionOdysseus, having slain two rams, seated on a rock conversing with the shade of Elpenor. Hermes stands at the right.
Reverse: Poseidon pursuing Amymone.
[Label text]:
Homer tells us in the Odyssey about Odysseus' journey to the underworld to learn how to return to his homeland of Ithaca. While in Hades, Odysseus meets Elpenor, the youngest member of his crew. Elpenor had died on the island of the witch Circe; half-drunk and half-asleep, he fell from the roof of Circe's house. The scene of their reunion in the Underworld is pictured on this pelike. Having not received the proper funeral rites on Circe's island, Elpenor persuades Odysseus to give him a proper burial. Odysseus has sacrificed the two rams that lie at his feet to honor Elpenor and to keep the other spirits in Hades from tormenting him. Hermes stands behind Odysseus in his typical winged helmet and boots and with his caduceus. Although the messenger god does not appear in Homer's telling of the story, it is appropriate for him to be a part of this scene as he often acted as a guide to the souls in Hades. The painter shows Odysseus deeply concentrating on the words of the dead sailor while Elpenor speaks. The mysterious scene of Hades depicted here was once highlighted in white pigment to draw out the details of the rocky landscape of the underworld.
On the opposite side of the vase, Poseidon, the god of the seas and enemy of Odysseus, pursues Amymone, one of the fifty daughters of King Danaus and Europa. Poseidon carries the fisherman's spear that often identifies him in art. Her kingdom having no water, Amymone went in search of it. In the scene represented here, she carries a water jug. Poseidon fell in love with Amymone and rewarded her for her affection by creating the spring of Lerna. The result of their affair was Nauplius, a great sailor. The woman behind Poseidon is perhaps one of the many sisters of Amymone.
Reverse: Poseidon pursuing Amymone.
[Label text]:
Homer tells us in the Odyssey about Odysseus' journey to the underworld to learn how to return to his homeland of Ithaca. While in Hades, Odysseus meets Elpenor, the youngest member of his crew. Elpenor had died on the island of the witch Circe; half-drunk and half-asleep, he fell from the roof of Circe's house. The scene of their reunion in the Underworld is pictured on this pelike. Having not received the proper funeral rites on Circe's island, Elpenor persuades Odysseus to give him a proper burial. Odysseus has sacrificed the two rams that lie at his feet to honor Elpenor and to keep the other spirits in Hades from tormenting him. Hermes stands behind Odysseus in his typical winged helmet and boots and with his caduceus. Although the messenger god does not appear in Homer's telling of the story, it is appropriate for him to be a part of this scene as he often acted as a guide to the souls in Hades. The painter shows Odysseus deeply concentrating on the words of the dead sailor while Elpenor speaks. The mysterious scene of Hades depicted here was once highlighted in white pigment to draw out the details of the rocky landscape of the underworld.
On the opposite side of the vase, Poseidon, the god of the seas and enemy of Odysseus, pursues Amymone, one of the fifty daughters of King Danaus and Europa. Poseidon carries the fisherman's spear that often identifies him in art. Her kingdom having no water, Amymone went in search of it. In the scene represented here, she carries a water jug. Poseidon fell in love with Amymone and rewarded her for her affection by creating the spring of Lerna. The result of their affair was Nauplius, a great sailor. The woman behind Poseidon is perhaps one of the many sisters of Amymone.
ProvenanceAbout 1928, said to have been found at Gela, Sicily [see note]. Acquired from a private collection near Gela by Jacob Hirsch (dealer; b. 1874 - d. 1955), New York; 1934, sold by Jacob Hirsch to the MFA for $9250. (Accession Date: March 1, 1934)
NOTE: According to information provided by Hirsch in 1934.
NOTE: According to information provided by Hirsch in 1934.