The Sirens and Ulysses
William Etty · 1837
Why it's great
The hero Ulysses is tied to the mast of his ship so that he can listen to the sirens' song without crashing into rocks. His sailors have their ears plugged with wax. Etty painted the swirl of sea nymphs in a tangle of sea and sky. It's a retelling of an adventure from the Odyssey.
Where to see it
📍 Manchester Art GalleryManchester, United Kingdom
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
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William Etty was born in York, England, and spent his life training to paint like the Old Masters. He is best known for his rich colors and glowing skin tones. He worked in London but retired to his hometown of York. He died there in 1849.
