Telemachus doodt Adrastus

About this artwork

Schenking van de heer Burger

Art Historical Context

This small etching by Dutch artist Simon Fokke captures a dramatic moment from classical literature: Telemachus slaying the warrior Adrastus. Created in 1775, the print draws on the popular 17th-century novel *Les Aventures de Télémaque* by François Fénelon, which reimagined episodes from Homer’s *Odyssey* for Enlightenment-era readers. Fokke, known for his book illustrations and historical scenes, specialized in such narrative subjects that blended ancient myth with contemporary moral lessons. Measuring just 144 by 94 millimeters, the work exemplifies the intimate scale of 18th-century etching. This medium allowed artists to produce finely detailed prints that could be widely circulated in books or as standalone sheets, making classical stories accessible beyond elite collectors. The precise linework typical of Fokke’s technique brings tension and movement to the confrontation while keeping the composition compact and readable. Acquired as a gift from Mr. Burger, the etching now offers museum visitors a glimpse into the period’s fascination with heroic virtue and literary adaptation. Its modest size invites close looking, rewarding viewers with the subtle storytelling that made such prints popular in Dutch homes and libraries during the late eighteenth century.

About the Artist

Simon Fokke · 1712–1784

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