Ulysses and the Sirens
John William Waterhouse · 1891
Why it's great
The hero Ulysses is lashed to the mast of his ship as bird-women, the sirens, swoop and sing to lure him. His crew, ears plugged, row on. Waterhouse painted the sirens with a wild energy. It's a famous scene from the Odyssey.
Where to see it
📍 National Gallery of VictoriaMelbourne, Australia
Open in Maps ↗ About this museum →Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
John William Waterhouse was born in Rome to English parents and later lived in London. He painted women from myths and legends — such as the Lady of Shalott and sirens — in lush, colorful detail. He admired the Pre-Raphaelites, who came before him. He died in London in 1917.
