Theoodor van Thulden (1606-1669 ) - Ulisse e Polifemo nella grotta

Exceptional and very rare antique painting.
From the first half of the 17th century, this painting from a private collection in Genoa, historically attributed to Theodor Van Thulden, depicts Ulysses and Polyphemus.
Famous protagonist of one of the most studied and in-depth epic poems, the Odyssey, Ulisse, or rather Odisseo, is presented by Homer as a complex and fascinating hero. Known for his curiosity, his ingenuity, and his attraction to the unknown, he is convinced to leave his beloved family in his homeland, Ithaca, to fight alongside Agamemnon in the war against Troy; after winning the war and conquering the city of Troy in ten years of conflict, Ulisse embarks on his journey home, where his wife Penelope and son Telemachus await him. At the center of the Homeric poem, the return home will not prove easy for the hero: he must face trials and adventures that will extend his journey by another ten years. Confronting terrifying mythological creatures, magic, and deception, the hero of multifaceted ingenuity also demonstrates a deep humanity, a trait that has inspired artistic and literary reflections over the centuries, up to contemporary times.
The painting is an oil on canvas that has been recently retouched and is in excellent conservation condition.
Size 86.5 cm x 70 cm and 103 cm x 86 cm with frame.