Circe and the Companions of Ulysses

Art Historical Context

**Circe and the Compan of Ulysses** is a captivating engraving attributed to Giulio Bonasone after designs by the Mannerist master Parmigianino (Giamo Francesco Maria Mazzola This print depicts a dramatic moment from Homer's *Odyssey*, where the enchantress Circe transforms's companions into animals, blending mythology with Renaissance imagination. Created in the th century—though the date remains unknown—it exemplifies era's fascination with classical tales, brought to life through intricate printmaking. Parmigianino, a key figure in Mannerism with his elegant, elongated figures and graceful compositions, provided the inventive design, while Bonasone's skilled engraving translated it into a reproducible medium. Engraving, using a burin to incise lines into a copper plate, allowed for detailed shading and texture, making high-art accessible beyond paintings. This technique revolutionized image dissemination during the Renaissance, bridging elite patronage and wider audiences. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1927), this work highlights the collaborative spirit of Italian print culture. Visitors will appreciate its narrative tension and technical finesse, a window into how myths endured through innovative artistry.

About the Artist

Giulio Bonasone|Parmigianino (Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola) · 1500–1600

Comment on works: History; Mythology