Polyphemus. Polyphemus is the one-eyed giant son of Poseidon and Thoosa in Greek mythology, one of the Cyclopes described in Homer's Odyssey.
In ancient Greek art, Polyphemus was often depicted in vase paintings and sculptures. He was shown as a savage and brutish figure, with shaggy hair and a wild beard.
In these early depictions, Polyphemus was often shown with his sheep, as he was said to be a shepherd. During the Renaissance he was often shown as a more humanized figure, with a muscular physique and a more expressive face.
One famous example is the painting Polyphemus by Fiovanni Lanfranco, which shows the giant with a mournful expression as he plays a pipe. In the Baroque period, Polyphemus was often depicted in more dramatic and theatrical scenes.
He was shown in the act of pursuing the fleeing Odysseus and his men, or in the moment of his blinding by Odysseus. An example is the sculpture Polyphemus by the Flemish artist Giambologna, which shows the giant in a dynamic pose, with his arms flailing and his mouth open in a roar. His name means abounding in songs and legends. Polyphemus first appears as a savage man-eating giant in the ninth book of the Odyssey. Some later Classical writers link his name with the nymph Galatea and present him in a different light. In Homer's epic, Odysseus lands on the island of the Cyclopes during his journey home from the Trojan War and, together with
In ancient Greek art, Polyphemus was often depicted in vase paintings and sculptures. He was shown as a savage and brutish figure, with shaggy hair and a wild beard.
In these early depictions, Polyphemus was often shown with his sheep, as he was said to be a shepherd. During the Renaissance he was often shown as a more humanized figure, with a muscular physique and a more expressive face.
One famous example is the painting Polyphemus by Fiovanni Lanfranco, which shows the giant with a mournful expression as he plays a pipe. In the Baroque period, Polyphemus was often depicted in more dramatic and theatrical scenes.
He was shown in the act of pursuing the fleeing Odysseus and his men, or in the moment of his blinding by Odysseus. An example is the sculpture Polyphemus by the Flemish artist Giambologna, which shows the giant in a dynamic pose, with his arms flailing and his mouth open in a roar. His name means abounding in songs and legends. Polyphemus first appears as a savage man-eating giant in the ninth book of the Odyssey. Some later Classical writers link his name with the nymph Galatea and present him in a different light. In Homer's epic, Odysseus lands on the island of the Cyclopes during his journey home from the Trojan War and, together with
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