Jan Styka (1858 Lviv - 1925 Rome), Ulysses embracing his beloved son

oil, canvas, 78 × 61 cm
signed p. d.: "Jan Styka"

On the reverse a paper sticker with the handwritten title of the painting in French: "Ulysse embrasse son fils".


"Jan Styka's paintings are the most beautiful commentary ever written on Homer's work. Henceforth, whoever would like to read with understanding and succumb to the charm of "The Odyssey" must read it with eyes fixed on Styka's work."
- Pierre Harispe
Styka M. Styka A., The Art and Family Memories. Styka, 2005, p. 46


Odyssey
Song XVI
Telemachus recognizes Odysseus
(...)
And then came Telemachus. (...)
And so the father cradles his son in his embrace,
When from abroad he returns after ten years
An only child, which cost him so many cares.
The same way Telemachus squeezed and kissed
We know the shepherd, as if he were greeting a dead man,
And weeping, with these volatile words he asked him:
"Thou art this, my light, Telemachus dear!
When thou didst depart to Pylos, my eyes doubted,
Will they ever see thee again. Come here, my lover,
I'll look at you, I'll enjoy looking at you incessantly
Into thee, returning from distant sailing.
(...)"
(translated by Lucjan Siemieński, Zakl. Narodowy im. Ossolinskich, 1953)
The work presented at auction is one of a series of paintings painted by Styka as illustrations to Homer's Odyssey.
In 1911. Styka began painting a series of illustrations to Homer's Odyssey - the first such undertaking in the history of Polish art. The painter, together with his sons, went on a journey in the footsteps of Odysseus to prepare the necessary sketches and gather materials. In 1923, the artist showed most of the canvases of this series at the Spring Salon of Paris at the Grand Palais, and later also at other exhibitions, including in Poland. The paintings - 80 in number - served as illustrations for a luxurious six-volume edition of The Odyssey, which in an edition of 500 numbered pieces was published in Paris from 1922 to 1927. The edition was enthusiastically received, and the artist was honored with the Cross of the Legion of Honor.