The artwork titled “Penelope and the Suitors” was created by John William Waterhouse in 1912. It is an oil painting on canvas, measuring 130 by 188 centimeters. Aligned with the Romanticism art movement, this mythological painting is housed in the Aberdeen Art Gallery in Aberdeen, UK.
The artwork depicts the mythological scene of Penelope, the wife of the Greek hero Odysseus, during his prolonged absence. Centre stage, Penelope is portrayed sitting at her loom, embodying patience and resilience, while being courted by several suitors vying for her hand. The suitors are depicted in the background, bearing gifts and eagerly trying to gain her attention. The scene highlights Penelope’s steadfastness and the tension between her loyalty to Odysseus and the persistence of her suitors. The meticulous detail employed by Waterhouse, particularly in the textiles and expressions, brings depth and emotional complexity to this timeless mythological narrative.