Acrylic on canvas, 20” x 12”

Calypso is remembered most for her role in Homer's Odyssey, in which she kept the fabled Greek hero Odysseus prisoner on her island Ogygia for seven years, to make him her immortal husband. Calypso hypnotized Odysseus with her singing and other charms. During this time they were lovers and she tried to make him forget his previous life, although at some point Odysseus started missing his wife Penelope and decided to return. Zeus ordered Calypso to set Odysseus free, for it was not his destiny to live with her forever; Calypso protested against the gods because they hated goddesses having affairs with mortals, but eventually conceded sending Odysseus on his way after providing him with wine, bread, and the materials for a raft.