Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Odysseus and Calypso

Max Beckmann, 1943

Name Class Date
Max Beckmann, Odysseus and Calypso (1943). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Max Beckmann originaluniqueart.com/en/artists/max-beckmann/
Artist’s dates
1884 – 1950
Painted
1943
Medium
Oil On Canvas
Original size
115 x 150 cm
Movement
Expressionist German Painting
Period
Modern
Artistic style
Distorted forms
Influences
Cézanne, Van Gogh
Notable elements
Clocks, creature
Subject or theme
Mythology, Relationships

Copyright This work is in the public domain. Max Beckmann died in 1950; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 2020.

Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 10, 2026

Odysseus and Calypso — Max Beckmann Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Odysseus and Calypso — Max Beckmann

How big is it?

The original measures 115 × 150 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1880
  2. 1890
  3. 1900
  4. 1910
  5. 1920
  6. 1930
  7. 1940
  8. 1950

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 66 at death.

Painted when the artist was 59. The artist lived to 66. 59 of the 81 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Max Beckmann (1884–1950) ▲ this work, 1943 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1925 Main working years: 1925–1944 Late works: from 1944

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/max-beckmann-odysseus-and-calypso-8XYK2X-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Quinacridone Magenta #6a6152

    Catalogued palette

    • #6A6152
    • #E9DAB8
    • #282626
    • #AF9576

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Quinacridone Magenta
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Softly Mixed Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Max Beckmann over the last twelve months — 49 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 25.6%6,200 visits
    2. 2 United States of America 9.9%2,400 visits
    3. 3 France 6.6%1,600 visits
    4. 4 Germany 5.8%1,400 visits
    5. 5 Spain 5.4%1,300 visits
    6. 6 Italy 4.1%1,000 visits
    7. 7 Colombia 3.7%900 visits
    8. 8 Argentina 3.3%800 visits
    9. 9 United Kingdom 3.3%800 visits
    10. 10 Hong Kong 2.9%700 visits
    11. · 39 other countries 29.4%7,100 visits

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Max Beckmann

    1. 1 The Night, 1919 51.1%19,000 visits
    2. 2 The Iron Bridge (View of Frankfurt), 1922 9.7%3,600 visits
    3. 3 Great Scene of Agony, 1906 3.8%1,400 visits
    4. 4 Columbine, 1950 1.6%600 visits
    5. 5 The actors, 1942 1.6%600 visits
    6. 6 Odysseus and Calypso, 1943 this painting 1.6%600 visits
    7. 7 Self Portrait with a Bucket Hat, 1921 1.6%600 visits
    8. 8 Rugby players, 1929 1.3%500 visits
    9. 9 Bird's hell, 1938 1.3%500 visits
    10. 10 Dancing bar in Baden-Baden, Bayerische St, 1923 1.3%500 visits
    11. 11 The Old Actress, 1926 1.3%500 visits
    12. 12 Actresses, 1946 0.8%300 visits
    13. 13 Self-Portrait in Florence, 1907 0.8%300 visits
    14. 14 Seascape with poplars, 1924 0.8%300 visits
    15. 15 Family Picture, Moma NY, 1920 0.8%300 visits
    16. 16 Still Life with Large Green Fruits 0.8%300 visits
    17. 17 Argonaux 0.8%300 visits
    18. 18 Temptation, 1937 0.5%200 visits
    19. 19 Self-Portrait with Trumpet, 1938 0.5%200 visits
    20. 20 The King, 1937 0.5%200 visits

    Together these works take 82.5% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 221 works by this artist, of which 74 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 6 of them, with 1.6% of that attention (600 visits). The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 10, 2026

    Odysseus and Calypso — Max Beckmann Part 2 · In context

    About this artwork

    Odysseus and Calypso — Max Beckmann

    Max Beckmann’s ‘Odysseus and Calypso’: A Descent into Mythic Emotion

    The Kunsthalle Hamburg holds within its walls a powerfully evocative work by Max Beckmann, “Odysseus and Calypso,” painted in 1943. This oil on canvas, measuring 115 x 150 cm, is a cornerstone of Expressionism, a movement defined not merely by stylistic choices but by an urgent need to convey the raw, unfiltered experience of human emotion. Beckmann’s masterful manipulation of color and form plunges the viewer into a scene brimming with tension, desire, and the unsettling weight of fate – a world far removed from the idealized narratives of classical mythology.

    Subject Matter: The painting depicts the iconic encounter between Odysseus and Calypso, immortalized in Homer’s Odyssey. Beckmann doesn't offer a heroic portrayal; instead, he presents a moment of profound intimacy – Odysseus reclining with Calypso, their bodies intertwined in a tableau that speaks volumes about power dynamics, longing, and the seductive allure of escape.

    Expressionist Technique: Beckmann’s signature style is immediately apparent. Bold, clashing colors—deep reds, blues, and ochres—are applied with thick impasto, creating a tactile surface that vibrates with energy. Distorted forms and exaggerated features contribute to the painting's unsettling atmosphere, reflecting the psychological turmoil at the heart of the narrative.

    Symbolism Woven into the Canvas

    “Odysseus and Calypso” is far more than a simple retelling of a myth; it’s a richly layered exploration of human psychology. The background introduces unsettling elements that amplify the painting's symbolic weight. A shadowy, almost monstrous figure lurks in the distance, possibly representing the island itself – a place of both paradise and peril, temptation and constraint. The prominent clocks scattered throughout the composition are not merely decorative; they relentlessly remind us of the passage of time, a constant pressure against Odysseus’s desire to return home, and Calypso's hold on him.

    The Creature: The ambiguous figure in the background is often interpreted as representing the primal forces at play – the untamed wilderness, the seductive power of the unknown, or perhaps even Odysseus’s own internal demons.

    Time and Fate: The clocks symbolize not just temporal measurement but also the inescapable nature of fate and the anxieties surrounding loss and return.

    Historical Context and Emotional Resonance

    Painted in 1943, during the tumultuous years of World War II, “Odysseus and Calypso” resonates with a profound sense of unease and disorientation. Beckmann’s artistic development, shaped by his experiences as a medical orderly during the war – witnessing suffering and destruction – profoundly influenced his work. This painting embodies the Expressionist impulse to confront difficult truths about humanity, reflecting a world fractured by conflict and uncertainty. The distorted forms and intense emotionality mirror the psychological landscape of a generation grappling with unprecedented challenges.

    This artwork is a testament to Beckmann’s ability to transform myth into a deeply personal and universally resonant statement. Its enduring power lies in its capacity to evoke a visceral response, prompting viewers to contemplate themes of desire, freedom, and the inescapable consequences of choice. A hand-painted reproduction offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the full force of this remarkable masterpiece.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 10, 2026

    Odysseus and Calypso — Max Beckmann Part 3 · About this artwork

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Max Beckmann

    Born in Leipzig, Germany

    early life and artistic development

    max beckmann, a renowned german painter, draftsman, printmaker, sculptor, and writer, was born on february 12, 1884, in leipzig, saxony. his artistic journey began with academically correct depictions, which later transformed into distorted figures and spaces, reflecting his altered vision of humanity after serving as a medical orderly in world war i.

    artistic style and influences

    beckmann's style, rooted in the imagery of medieval stained glass, was influenced by various artists, including cézanne, van gogh, blake, rembrandt, and rubens. he also drew inspiration from northern european artists of the late middle ages and early renaissance, such as bosch, bruegel, and matthias grünewald.

    notable works and exhibitions

    the bark (acquired by the national gallery in berlin) self-portrait in tuxedo (purchased in 1928) * retrospectives at the städtische kunsthalle mannheim (1928) and in basle and zurich (1930)

    later life and exile

    beckmann's fortunes changed with the rise of adolf hitler, leading to his dismissal from the art school in frankfurt and the confiscation of over 500 of his works. he lived in self-imposed exile in amsterdam for ten years, failing to obtain a visa for the united states.

    legacy

    taught at the art schools of washington university in st. louis and the brooklyn museum first retrospective in the united states took place in 1948 at the city art museum, saint louis * max-slevogt galerie, germany, features a collection of his works

    max-slevogt galerie, germany

    history of painting

    max beckmann's artworks on AllPaintingsStore

    key dates: born: february 12, 1884 died: december 27, 1950

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Odysseus and Calypso

    originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/max-beckmann-odysseus-and-calypso-8XYK2X-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Beckmann, Max. Odysseus and Calypso. 1943, https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/max-beckmann-odysseus-and-calypso-8XYK2X-en/
    APA
    Beckmann, Max (1943). Odysseus and Calypso [Painting]. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/max-beckmann-odysseus-and-calypso-8XYK2X-en/
    Chicago
    Max Beckmann. Odysseus and Calypso. 1943. https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/max-beckmann-odysseus-and-calypso-8XYK2X-en/
    Harvard
    Beckmann, Max (1943) Odysseus and Calypso. Available at: https://originaluniqueart.com/en/art/max-beckmann-odysseus-and-calypso-8XYK2X-en/

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 10, 2026

    Odysseus and Calypso — Max Beckmann Part 4 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Odysseus and Calypso — Max Beckmann

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: odysseus, calypso, mythology. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at The Night (1919), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Max Beckmann was about 59 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: OriginalUniqueArt.com — accessed Oct. 10, 2026

    Odysseus and Calypso — Max Beckmann Part 5 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    Where should a reproduction of "Odysseus and Calypso" by Max Beckmann be hung?

    Format (portrait) and recommended space (living room) are the two placement facts recorded for "Odysseus and Calypso" by Max Beckmann.

    Can the image of "Odysseus and Calypso" by Max Beckmann be freely reproduced?

    Regarding copyright, "Odysseus and Calypso" is in the public domain - its copyright has expired.

    What color saturation does "Odysseus and Calypso" by Max Beckmann have?

    "Odysseus and Calypso" by Max Beckmann is recorded with a subtle color saturation.