Study for Calypso's Isle by Herbert James Draper, 1864-1920

Study for Calypso's Isle

Herbert James Draper, 1864-1920

Pencil

18 x 15 inches

This figure of a naked model seen from behind can also be found in one of Draper's sketchbooks, and was the first pose for the painting Calypso's Isle. . . . In the finished picture the model holds a mirror in her right hand and picks up a necklace with her left.

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Calypso's Isle was painted in 1897 and exhibited at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1900 where it won a gold medal. The picture was praised by the critics, but some thought Calypso's form '. . . not so plump as it ought to be'. In Homer's Odyssey Calypso was the alluring siren that held Ulysses in enchantment for seven blissful years.

Provenance: The artist and thence by descent; with Julian Hartnoll; Private Collection, Spain

References

Maas, Rupert. British Pictures. London: The Maas Gallery. 2006. Catalogue number 33.

Last modified 27 May 2007