Ulysses and the Sirens
When John William Waterhouse first revealed this work in 1891, its reception was mixed. Some people commented on the manner in which Ulysses was bound to the mast, some commented on the placement of the shields and some commented on the number of the sirens. Most people whinged about Waterhouse’s departure from Homerian text, but let’s be honest: If he had managed to incorporate breasts in his portrayal of the sirens, he wouldn’t have had to deal with half of these highbrow complaints.
Almost all representations of sirens during the Victorian period (and since, honestly) have involved chesty mermaid-like beauties lolling about the shoreline tempting sailors with a bait more readily illustrated than song. For a sense of the kind of material that Waterhouse was competing with when he drew back the curtain on this piece, see the paintings of sirens done by other Victorian artists such as Etty, Belly and Armitage*. Waterhouse was supported by examples of ancient Grecian pottery in which sirens are portrayed as human-headed eagles, but this did little to turn back the tide of dissatisfaction with which the work was received. When comely nymphets are what the people want, comely nymphets are what they will demand**.
Leaving the subject of the sirens for a moment, let us study the rest of the painting. One’s eyes are drawn to a few different elements such as the beautiful blue of the sea, the odd pointedness of Ulysses’ beard and the faces of the sailors with their deafening headscarves. One sympathizes with these men as they attempt to work while being harassed by yodeling she-things. Without their alluring song audible, the sirens must have been simply annoying***.
My attention is also drawn to the figure of Ulysses himself. Waterhouse has given the hero a very slight physique which contrasts with the image of immense physical power often attributed to the king. Perhaps Waterhouse thought that this lightweight, almost boyish physique made more sense for a brilliant, romantic hero****.
*Be warned: Nudity is presented in all of the above. This is what I’m talking about.
**To be fair, it takes a substantial and unorthodox imagination to find avian sirens meaningfully alluring. Most people don’t have that sort of mind and those who do are unlikely to mention it.
***Look at the unfortunate in the red cloth. One can almost hear him yelling “Shoo!” as he tries to put his back into his oar.
****And perhaps this occurred to Waterhouse after he saw himself sideways in a mirror.