Circe Changing Ulysses' Men to Swine - Antonio Tempesta

An evocative seventeenth-century etching by Antonio Tempesta, depicting the mythological transformation of Ulysses' men by the sorceress Circe.

This etching by Antonio Tempesta depicts the classical narrative from Homer's Odyssey, in which the sorceress Circe transforms the companions of Ulysses into swine. Tempesta, a prolific printmaker and painter based in Rome, was known for his technical facility with the etching needle and his ability to render complex narrative scenes with clarity. The composition focuses on the moment of magical intervention: Circe stands to the left, holding a wand and a vessel, while the figures before her undergo their bestial metamorphosis.

The work displays the characteristic precision of Tempesta's graphic style. The figures are rendered with fine, controlled lines that define the folds of drapery and the textures of the animals. The background architecture is suggested through simple vertical lines, which provide a sense of interior space without distracting from the primary action. The inclusion of the Latin inscription, 'Ulyssis socij a Circe in porcos', at the base of the print is typical of the period's illustrative series, which often functioned as visual companions to literary texts.

Tempesta's approach to this mythological subject reflects the broader interest in classical antiquity that permeated the Italian Baroque. His work was widely circulated across Europe, influencing subsequent generations of printmakers who sought to master the depiction of movement and narrative drama. The print captures the tension of the scene through the contrast between the human posture of the figures and their emerging animal features. This specific etching is part of a larger series illustrating the adventures of Ulysses, demonstrating the artist's capacity for sustained narrative cycles. The print remains a clear example of early seventeenth-century Italian printmaking, where technical skill and classical learning converged to produce accessible yet sophisticated visual storytelling.