Spirit of the Ages logo

 

 

[Up]

 

[Home]

  

 

"The Odyssey of Homer" (1924)

 

Illustrated by William Russell Flint

 

 

"The Odyssey of Homer" (1924), as published by The Medici Society Limited (London), includes an adaptation of "Homer's Odyssey" -

one of two major ancient Greek epic poems attributed to Homer (the other being the "Iliad") - undertaken by Professor S H Butcher and

Andrew Lang.

 

Lang emphasises the relevant of Homer's "Odyssey" in his Introduction thus:

 

The "Iliad" and "Odyssey" stand at the head of the literature of Greece and of the epic poetry

of the world; and their influence in their country of origin and throughout the European peoples

has been commensurate with their artistic greatness. Historically, they given the earliest picture

of Aryan civilization, describing a period of culture of which we should otherwise know almost

nothing. Artistically, in spite of their early date, they are the product of a mature art, expressing

with supreme nobility and grace permanent and varied yet simple types of human nature, in a

language unsurpassed for its combination of directness, simplicity and beauty.

 

The key elements of the epic include the ten year return journey of Odysseus following the fall of Troy and the experience of his wife -

Penelope - and son - Telemachus - in dealing with a group of suitors (who remained in Ithaca).

 

Russell Flint's illustrative interpretation of Homer's epic work is masterful and depicts seminal moments and characters within the

classic Greek tale, including: the goddess Athena; Odysseus; Helen of Troy; Telemachus; Circe; Calypso; and Alcinous.

 

Whilst the suite of illustrations for "The Odyssey of Homer" were completed in 1914, the outbreak of World War I caused a delay to

the planned publication and the collection was published a decade later.

 

This suite is considered by many to be the final of the book illustration masterworks prepared by Russell Flint.

 

As published in 1924, William Russell Flint's suite of illustrations for "The Odyssey of Homer" included 20 colour images presented as

tipped-in plates.

 

 

 Special Offer

 Facebook

Bonus

 

Free Item with Purchase

Follow us

 

'Spirit of the Ages' Facebook Page

Like us

 

Twitter

 

Share us

 

 

Follow us

 

Follow us on Twitter 

 

Our Blog

 

Follow our Blog

 

Spirit of the Ages - Blog

RSS Feed

 

'Spirit of the Ages' RSS feed

 

 

 

Subscribe to our Blog by eMail through Feedburner

Subscribe to our Blog by eMail

through Feedburner

 

 

Email Us

Enter your comments in the space provided below

 

Tell us how to get in touch with you:

Name

E-mail

     

Make a donation through PayPal

   

Cover for ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924), illustrated by William Russell Flint

 

To the left, we show the Cover of the First Edition of Russell Flint's interpretation of

"The Odyssey of Homer" published in 1924 in exceedingly small numbers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the right, we show the Title Page

to ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924).

 

Title Page for ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924), illustrated by William Russell Flint

         

 

Our Greeting Cards and Fine Art Posters showing William Russell Flint's

artwork for the First Edition of "The Odyssey of Homer" (1924)

 

 

Greeting Card sample showing a William Russell Flint illustration from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924)

 

Front of Greeting Card

(with envelope)

 

 

For connoisseurs of Russell Flint's work, we have prepared sets of 20 Greeting Cards (approximately 7x5" on

premium acid-free card stock) displaying colour images from his designs for "The Odyssey of Homer" and on

the left and right, we show an example of how these Greeting Cards appear.

 

 

 

 

Code: WRF OH CS(20)
Price: US$100.00

 

Rear of Greeting Card

(with envelope)

 
 

When presented on Greeting Cards, these images are prepared as tipped-on plates - in 'hommage' to the hand-crafted approach typical of

prestige illustrated publications produced in the early decades of the 20th Century. Each card is hand-finished and the images are presented

on Ivory card stock with an accompanying envelope. The rear of each card carries information about William Russell Flint, this wonderful suite

and the profiled illustration - we have left the interior of the cards blank so that you may write your own personal message.

 

Should you wish to order a reproduction print of one or more of these images, we have provided some options below. Each of our Fine Art

Posters is prepared with archival quality papers and inks - and also accompanied by information about William Russell Flint, this suite and

the profiled illustration.

 

To purchase, simply click on the appropriate "Add to Cart" button and you will be taken through to our Shopping Cart secured through PayPal.

Multiple purchases will be consolidated by that feature and shipping and handling costs to any destination in the world are accommodated by

our flat-rate fee of US$20 for every US$200 worth of purchases.

 

Of course, should you wish to discuss some customised options, we welcome your contact on any matter through email - our address is ThePeople@SpiritoftheAges.com.

 

In the meantime, enjoy perusing these wonderful images from William Russell Flint.

Fine Art Poster sample showing a William Russell Flint illustration from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924)

 

An example of one of our Fine Art Posters

in a superb 12x18" format

     

 

The colour illustrations by William Russell Flint for

the First Edition of "The Odyssey of Homer" (1924)

 

 

William Russell Flint - 'My heart is rent for wise Odysseus, the hapless one, who far from his friends this long while suffereth affliction in a seagirt isle' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924) William Russell Flint - 'Now when the wooers had put from them the desire of meat and drink they minded them of other things, even of the song and dance: for these are the crown of the feast' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924) William Russell Flint - 'Then in amaze she went back to her chamber, for she laid up the wise saying of her son in her heart' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924) William Russell Flint - 'Helen came forth from her fragrant vaulted chamber, like Artemis of the golden arrows' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924)  

My heart is rent for wise Odysseus, the

hapless one, who far from his friends

this long while suffereth affliction in a

seagirt Isle

 

 

Now when the wooers had put from them the desire

of meat and drink they minded them of other things,

even of the song and dance: for these are the crown

of the feast

 

 

Then in amaze she went back to her

chamber, for she laid up the wise

saying of her son in her heart

Helen came forth from her fragrant vaulted chamber,

like Artemis of the golden arrows

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 1 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 2 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 3 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 4 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

 
William Russell Flint - 'It was the fourth day when he had accomplished all. And lo, on the fifth, the fair Calypso sent him on his way from the island' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924) William Russell Flint - 'And the daughter of Alcinous alone stood firm, for Athene gave her courage of heart, and took all trembling from her limbs' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924) William Russell Flint - 'Circe meanwhile had gone her way and made fast a ram and a black ewe by the dark ship' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924)

William Russell Flint - 'So spake she, but I drew my sharp sword from my thigh and sprang upon Circe, as one eager to slay her' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924)

 

It was the fourth day when he had accomplished all.

And lo, on the fifth, the fair Calypso sent him on his

way from the island

And the daughter of Alcinous alone stood firm, for

Athene gave her courage of heart, and took all

trembling from her limbs

 

 

Circe meanwhile had gone her way and made

fast a ram and a black ewe by the dark ship

So spake she, but I drew my sharp sword

from my thigh and sprang upon Circe, as

one eager to slay her

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 5 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 6 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 7 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 8 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

 
William Russell Flint - 'And lo, the women came up, for the high goddess Perspehone sent them forth, all they that had been the wives and daughters of mighty men' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924) William Russell Flint - 'Now all the rest, as many as fled from sheer destruction, were at home, and had escaped both war and sea, but Odysseus only, craving for his wife and for his homeward path, the lady nymph Calypso held, that fair goddess, in her hollow caves, longing to have him for her lord' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924) William Russell Flint - 'Therewith the goddess plunged into a shadowy cave' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924) William Russell Flint - 'And Helen came up, beautiful Helen, with the robe in her hands and spake and hailed him' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924)  

And lo, the women came up, for the high goddess

Persephone sent them forth, all they that had been

the wives and daughters of mighty men

Now all the rest, as many as fled from sheer destruction,

were at home, and had escaped both war and sea, but

Odysseus only, craving for his wife and for his homeward

path, the lady nymph Calypso held, that fair goddess, in

her hollow caves, longing to have him for her lord

 

 

Therewith the goddess plunged into

a shadowy cave

And Helen came up, beautiful Helen, with the

robe in her hands and spake and hailed him

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 9 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 10 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 11 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 12 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

 
William Russell Flint - 'All her joints were loosened as she lay in the chair, and the fair goddess the while was giving her gifts immortal' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924) William Russell Flint - 'By help of the handmaids, shameless things and reckless, the wooers came and trapped me, and chid me loudly' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924) William Russell Flint - 'The joy and anguish came on her in one moment, and both her eyes filled up with tears, and the voice of her utterance was stayed' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924) William Russell Flint - 'Then down from heaven came Athena and drew nigh him, fashioned in the likeness of a woman' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924)  

All her joints were loosened as she lay

in the chair, and the fair goddess the

while was giving her gifts immortal

 

 

By help of the handmaids, shameless things and

reckless, the wooers came and trapped me, and

chid me loudly

The joy and anguish came on her in one moment,

and both her eyes filled up with tears, and the

voice of her utterance was stayed

Then down from heaven came Athena

and drew nigh him, fashioned in the

likeness of a woman

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 13 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 14 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 15 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 16 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

 
William Russell Flint - 'Others again go for water to the well' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924) William Russell Flint - 'She set forth to go to the hall to the company of the proud wooers, with the back-bent bow in her hands, and the quiver for the arrows' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924) William Russell Flint - 'The Killing of the Wooers' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924) William Russell Flint - 'So she spake, and at once her knees were loosened, and her heart melted within her, as she knew the same tokens that Odysseus showed her' from ''The Odyssey of Homer'' (1924)  
Others again go for water to the well

 

 

She set forth to go to the hall to the

company of the proud wooers, with

the back-bent bow in her hands, and

the quiver for the arrows

 

 

The Killing of the Wooers

So he spake, and at once her knees were

loosened, and her heart melted within

her, as she knew the same tokens that

Odysseus showed her

 

(Frontispiece)

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 17 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 18 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 19 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

Fine Art Poster (12x18'')

Code: WRF OH 20 (12x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

 

 
                       

 

 

[Home]  [Medieval and Renaissance Collection]  [Golden Age of Illustration Collection [Myths]  [Fables]  [Fairies]  [Fairy Tales[Blog]  [About Us]  [Special Offer]

 

Send mail to ThePeople@SpiritoftheAges.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2007 Spirit of the Ages
Last modified: 12/31/11