This painting, by the French artist Raymond Auguste Quinsac Monvoisin (c. 1790-1870), was inspired by stories about the ancient Greek mythological figure, Telemachus—the son of the famous hero, Odysseus. As the title of the artwork gives away, the painting depicts a relationship that Telemachus had with a certain Eucharis, said to have been a nymph in the entourage of the goddess Calypso. In regard to the people painted on the canvas, Telemachus is the scantily-clad figure at the center of the artwork. Just left of him is Eucharis, depicted in white and seen placing her head in her hand. As for the third figure—the one pulling Telemachus away from the scene—that is a character called Mentor (who is really the goddess Athena in disguise).
Curiously, despite the presence of mythological subjects and Homeric elements, the particular story being re-created in this painting is anything but ancient. Telemachus and Eucharis did not meet in Homer’s Iliad or Odyssey, nor was their romance featured in any known myth or legend from ancient Greece or Rome. Instead, the painting brings to life an episode from a much later book called The Adventures of Telemachus, published in 1699 by Archbishop François de Salignac de La Mothe-Fénelon of Cambrai (or simply François Fénelon).
In his intriguing spinoff, François Fénelon expanded on and added to the escapades and experiences that Telemachus might have undergone while he waited for his father to return home from the Trojan War. As told in the book, Telemachus and Athena (disguised as Mentor) eventually found themselves shipwrecked on Calypso’s Island. During their stay, Aphrodite unleashed mischievous Eros (or Cupid) on the mythical isle, who spread his amorous influence throughout the nymph-filled settlement. In particular, the love-god made both Calypso and Eucharis fall hopelessly in love with Telemachus.
There could only be one winner in the competition for the young man’s attention, and, to Calypso great jealousy and fury, it was ultimately Eucharis whose affections caused Telemachus’ heart to flutter in reciprocal attraction. Athena, meanwhile, disapproved of the whole situation, and she battled with the love-god behind the scenes to free Telemachus from the hormone-infused island. In the end, Athena was able to provoke Calypso into demanding that the shipwrecked strangers leave the island on a newly built ship. Due to Athena’s victories over Eros and Calypso, there was little time for smitten Telemachus and Eucharis to enjoy their blossoming affections, for Calypso was compelled to angrily march her entourage of nymphs away from the shore, while Athena similarly dragged Telemachus to the ships. François Fénelon described the scene:
“Telemachus followed with reluctance, continuously looking behind him, and gazing at Eucharis who was going away from him. Not being able to see her face, he viewed her lovely plaited hair, and her flowing vestments and noble gait, and would gladly have kissed the very prints of her feet. Nay, when he had lost sight of her, he still listened, imagining that he heard her voice, though absent, he saw her; her image was painted and living as it were before his eyes” (François Fénelon, The Adventures of Telemachus, Book 7).
It is this passage that inspired elements of the painting by Raymond Auguste Quinsac Monvoisin. Telemachus can be seen longingly glancing back at Eucharis as Mentor/Athena ushers the lovestruck lad away. Yet, Telemachus did not go quietly; he begged Athena to give him more time to say goodbye, pleading, “I am resolved to follow you; but I have not yet taken my leave of Eucharis…Permit me at least to say to her, O nymph, the cruel Gods, the Gods jealous of my happiness, constrain me to depart, but they shall sooner put a period to my life, than blot you out of my memory” (The Adventures of Telemachus, Book 7). Unfortunately, no further delay was granted by the impatient gods, and thus ended the romance of Telemachus and Eucharis.
Written by C. Keith Hansley
Sources:
- The Adventures of Telemachus by François Fénelon (published 1699), translated into English by Des Maizeaux (1781).
- https://collections.artsmia.org/art/2542/telemachus-and-eucharis-raymond-auguste-quinsac-monvoisin
