Circe Transforms Odysseus’ Companions into Animals (1650 - 1655)

Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione's remarkable etching, titled "Circe Transforms Odysseus’ Companions into Animals," painted between 1650 and 1655, offers an evocative visual narration drawn from the ancient epic, Homer's Odyssey. In the myth, the sorceress Circe, using her magical powers, transforms the unsuspecting companions of Odysseus into various forms of animals as a punishment for their indiscretions.The etching captures a moment of eerie enchantment within a dense, intricate landscape. At the center of the composition sits Circe, depicted with an air of calm and mysterious allure, her pose relaxed yet filled with a commanding presence. Around her, the chaos of transformation unfolds. The image illustrates the turmoil and confusion with several figures caught in mid-metamorphosis, highlighting their human despair and emerging animalistic features. Animals, both fully transformed and those in the process, populate the scene—swine, an ox, goats, which viewers can infer as once being human.Castiglione’s use of light and shadow, along with his detailed, dynamic etching strokes, creates a vivid depiction of the scene that is both dramatic and haunting. The ruins and wild foliage enhance the sense of a liminal space where natural and supernatural realms intertwine.This artwork not only reflects Castiglione’s mastery over the etching medium but also his profound ability to weave complex narratives into compelling visual forms, making this mythological moment both accessible and engaging for the viewer.