Sir William Russell Flint, R.A., P.R.W.S.

The canvas is original. There is some very minor frame abrasion to areas of the extreme edges. Otherwise the work is in good original condition. Ultraviolet light reveals no sign of retouching. Held in a decorative gold painted composite frame in fair condition.
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NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

"Thick, luxuriant woods grew round the cave,
alders, and black poplars, pungent cypress too,
and there, birds roosted, folding their long wings,
owls and hawks and the spread beaked ravens of the sea,
black skimmers who make their living off the waves.
And round the mouth of the cavern trailed a vine
laden with clusters, bursting with ripe grapes.
Four springs in a row, bubbling clear and cold,
running side-by-side, took channels left and right.
Soft meadows spreading round were starred with violets,
lush with beds of parsley. Why, even a deathless god
who came upon that place would gaze in wonder,
heart entranced with pleasure."

In 1907 Sir William Russell Flint became a freelance artist which lead him to illustrate a number of classical limited editions such as Mallory's Morte d'Arthur, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and Homer's Odyssey. The current work depicts the nymph Calypso, daughter of the Titan Atlas who lived on the island of Ogygia, described in the above extract from The Odyssey, and Odysseus the Greek king of Ithaca . After the last of Odysseus's men had perished at sea, Odysseus himself was washed ashore on Ogygia, where Calypso became enamoured with him, taking him as her lover and promising him immortality if he would stay with her. Odysseus refused her offer, wishing to return home to Ithaca and to his wife, Penelope. But Calypso refused to let him leave, and held him prisoner for seven years. Finally Athena complained of Odysseus's plight to Zeus, and Zeus sent Hermes to Ogygia to order Calypso to set Odysseus free. Calypso complied reluctantly, allowing Odysseus to construct a small boat and set sail from the island. The current painting depicts the moment of Odysseus's refusal of Calypso's offer of immortality. Calypso stands triumphant and dominant over the trapped figure of Odysseus who sits pensively contemplating his future.