The famous marble bust of Homer held by the British Museum (made by a Roman artist):
An outdoor bronze statue of the blind poet and his student guide at the University of Virginia:
And Rembrandt's "Aristotle with a Bust of Homer":
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Imagining Homer
We'll talk next week about the composition of The Odyssey and the meaning of historical discoveries and linguistic theories for the question of the epic poem's authorship. For now, though, I want you to reflect on conventions that have developed in the depiction of the blind bard named Homer. After reviewing the images that I've posted below, reflect on what these images tell us about the conception of Homer (who is he, what is like, what is valuable for) that lies behind the artistic rendering of him. What do you think about this conception? Does it suit the book you've been reading?
The famous marble bust of Homer held by the British Museum (made by a Roman artist):
More information here: http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/gr/m/marble_portrait_bust_of_homer.aspx
An outdoor bronze statue of the blind poet and his student guide at the University of Virginia:
And Rembrandt's "Aristotle with a Bust of Homer":
More information is available here:http://www.metmuseum.org/Collections/search-the-collections/110001844
The famous marble bust of Homer held by the British Museum (made by a Roman artist):
An outdoor bronze statue of the blind poet and his student guide at the University of Virginia:
And Rembrandt's "Aristotle with a Bust of Homer":
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The art seems to portray Homer as having inner sight despite his blindness as well as wisdom, authority, and strength. He is portrayed in the bust gazing straight on with head lifted, not the blank stare of a blind man, but filled with wisdom and inner sight. In the statue with the student guide, rather than showing weakness in his need for a guide, he looks ahead as if he is looking at something in the distance, helping to continue the idea of his ability to see things beyond what others see. He is also portrayed towering over the boy, whose gaze points back to homer’s face in awe. Rather than the boy leading Homer, it appears that the boy is looking to Homer for guidance. Finally the painting with Aristotle reveals his authority and perhaps the foresight and wisdom, even for later philosophers and scholars. Aristotle’s hand is placed on the head suggesting that Aristotle is trying to grasp some piece of wisdom that Homer had already discovered. I think that this conception is valuable because it seems that Homer was able to grasp a lesson that continues to be valuable since it is still studied today. Also the way he asks the muse for inspiration and for the story shows that he was taking the story from what he believed to be beyond his own thoughts.
ReplyDeleteOne of the only scenes I remember from the Odyssey, perhaps because it is somewhat regretfully linked to the strange blind bard in "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" is the scene with Odysseus, in the court of another, listening to the songs of a blind bard whose name presently escapes me. The bard has an incredible gift, connecting with the muses and singing songs that are so relevant to the life of Odysseus that they can only be supernatural. Odysseus is able to keep his identity a secret the whole night until the blind man's last song; it is then that he can no longer control or hide his emotions and, while he weeps, is finally asked who he really is.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I bring that up is because these pieces of art seem to portray Homer in that way, too (perhaps with Homer's encouragement). In the way his head is held erect, he is not ashamed of his blindness. It seems as if he has no need or interest in seeing the world around him because he has the ability to see a world that reaches much farther than colors, shapes, and light. He is a man whose mission is to reveal not only who others really are, but what the gods' true characters are like as well. His eyes, however, are not what caught my attention. In old Roman sculptures, almost all eyes look like that.
What initially drew me in was his lack of ears, as well as a furrowed brow and open mouth. To a bard who calls on the muses for aid in telling stories, and to a blind man who uses his other senses to compensate for the one he lacks, sounds are everything. There were probably incredibly valid reasons for leaving his ears out of the scultpure, but the expression on his brow indicates that his ears are still very important; the movement of his hair and the lines on his face seem to point to where his ears are, but they are hidden by unkempt curls. It took me a while to appreciate this, until I came to the realization that he has been looked at for ages as one who could hear with his heart as well as his ears. He has the angsty expression of one who both strains to hear and longs, even demands, to be listened to when recounting what it is he has discovered. All of this is said in the images with a shroud of mysteriousness as well. A person looking at the bust might view his eyes and wonder what he was straining to hear or see, what story he was telling, what inflections he was using that show so well on his impassioned face, or even touch it like Aristotle.
It is honestly too soon for me to fully say whether or not I think it suits The Odyssey, but I will say that it does, in fact, capture the mysteriousness of this blind bard, and shows the respect people have had for him throughout the ages.
The depictions above seem to portray Homer as an aged man, sage and, despite his blindness, seeing beyond what normal vision reveals. The first piece of artwork shows Homer with his eyes wide open, looking steadily straight ahead. He is fully alert and his expression leaves the audience intrigued as to just what his mind’s eye is seeing behind that clouded gaze. The years have obviously left their mark on him, but in such a way as to make him appear distinguished, a man of consequence, a man worth listening to.
ReplyDeleteThe statue of Homer almost appears to catch him in mid-story. With his mouth slightly open, hand gesturing, and again his eyes fixed straight ahead, at least some form of wisdom seems to be being imparted. His student guide looks up to Homer as he speaks, no longer leading, but being led.
The painting shows two of the great thinkers of antiquity. Homer’s bust, simple and unadorned, is placed under the hand of Aristotle, whose lavish garments create a stark contrast between the two men. Aristotle looks down and back towards Homer, though his gaze does not actually land on the bust. He thus looks as if in deep reflection on Homer. Such a depiction emphasizes the respect, honor, and value given to Homer by other great thinkers.
These renderings of Homer go along side my own conception of him and seem well-suited portrayals for the author of The Odyssey. His interpretation of an epic hero and poetic, rich story telling sets Homer apart as a wise thinker. It is fitting that the author of such a tale should have many years and experiences behind him. His ability to hold the attention and respect of his audience also seems well-evidenced through the story, just as in the artwork. All of these pieces view Homer through a slightly different lens, but all add to and develop his character in a cohesive way.
Keelia Cumings
Each of these images certainly projects an inspiring image of Homer. These sculptures and paintings, portray Homer (correctly, in my opinion) as a wise man who has matured greatly during his many years of life. As a blind beggar who interacted with Greek citizens of all kinds, Homer must have learned a great deal from them. In reading the Odyssey, I can imagine that Homer, as he told and retold this famous tale, would have incorporated the values taught in them as well as whatever wisdom he learned from his fellow Greeks, into his own character. However, these portrayals of Homer are, in my belief, also somewhat unrealistic as well. In all of these images, Homer carries himself with a quiet pride that we would be more likely to expect in a middle- or upper-class Greek citizen of the day. In the centuries since he first told his epic tales, our esteem for Homer has caused us to think that Homer himself must have mirrored the attitudes of the characters of his tales. However, we would do well to remember that poverty plagued Homer throughout his lifetime. Historical records indicate that Homer subsisted through begging in the streets and telling his tales to passersby for a few small coins. We should not assume that Homer’s physical stature would proudly reflect the widespread fame he now enjoys.
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