Plate 26: Ulysses escaping on a raft with the aid of the sea deity Leucothea

Art Historical Context

In the turbulent waters depicted in *Plate 26: Ulysses on a raft with the aid of the sea deity Leucothea we witness a dramatic moment from Homer's *Odsey*. Here, the resourceful hero Odysseus, shipwrecked and adrift, receives divine aid from Leucothea (the goddess Ino in mortal guise), who offers him her veil to buoy him safely to shore. This 1756 etching and engraving captures the epic's themes of peril, ingenuity, and divine intervention, resonating with 18th-century audiences fascinated by classical antiquity during the Enlightenment. Crafted collaboratively by Gabriel Söderling, Bartolomeo Crivellari, Pellegrino Tibaldi, and Giampietro Zanotti, this print exemplifies the intricate techniques of etching—using acid to bite lines into a metal plate—and engraving, where tools carve fine details for rich tonal depth. Measuring 13 7/8 × 12 inches, its trimmed sheet highlights the precision of reproductive printmaking, likely part of a series illustrating Homeric tales. Such works democratized access to mythological narratives, bridging ancient lore with contemporary art lovers. Acquired through the Rogers Fund in 1962 and housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this piece underscores the enduring cultural power of the *Odyssey*. It invites visitors to ponder humanity's eternal struggle against the sea—and the gods' capricious mercy.

About the Artist

Gabriel Söderling|Bartolomeo Crivellari|Pellegrino Tibaldi|Giampietro Zanotti (Swedish|Italian| |Italian) · 1700 |1700 | |1527 –1800 |1800 | |1596

Swedish, active 1756|Italian, active 18th century| |Italian, Puria di Valsolda 1527–1596 Milan