Telemachus and Mentor Arrive on the Island of Calypso
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Catalogue Number:
12
Artist:
Jakob A. Folkema (1692-1767)
Title:
Telemachus and Mentor Arrive on the Island of Calypso
Work Type:
Drawing
Date:
18th Century
Culture:
Dutch
Medium:
Black and brown inks and washes on laid paper, pasted on secondary support
Dimensions:
5 3/8 X 3 1/2 in.
Inscriptions & Annotations:
Inscribed lower left in margin J. A. Folkema fec.
Condition:
Clean, intact, stable
Credit Line:
Cornell College, Gift of Robert Sonnenschein II
Accession Year:
1951
Object Number:
1951.12
Commentary:
Jakob Folkema (Dokkum, Netherlands, 1692-1767) was a Dutch engraver and printmaker. The present scene is an illustration of the opening passages of Les Aventures de Télémaque (The Adventures of Telemachus), by François Fénelon, first published in 1699. It is unclear if this drawing was ever selected by Folkema to be made into an engraving, as no known print based on the drawing exists; however, prints of other scenes in this series can be found at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Calypso welcomes Telemachus and his tutor, Mentor, to her island. She is seated on the right with her nymphs. In the background to the left can be seen the men’s sinking ship. Around 1715, Folkema produced a series of prints based on his original illustrations from the popular French novel. This is an unusual series for Folkema, who typically produced engravings after other artists’ illustrations. The plot of Les Aventures de Télémaque expands on Homer’s Odyssey, recounting the educational travels of Ulysses’ son, Telemachus. Mentor, who accompanies Telemachus, ultimately reveals himself to be Minerva, goddess of wisdom, in disguise. SC