Odysseus receives the Moly from Hermes
1864
Friedrich Preller the Elder brings a magical moment from Homer's Odyssey to life in this lush, romantic landscape. Here, the messenger god Hermes—sporting his signature winged hat—hands the magical herb 'moly' to a weary Odysseus, protecting him from the enchantress Circe's spells. The scene is set against a backdrop of classical ruins and exotic vegetation, perfectly capturing the 19th-century German Romantic fascination with ancient myths and dreamy, idealized nature. Preller was famous for his Odysseus cycle, and this piece shows his talent for blending dramatic storytelling with serene, atmospheric landscapes.
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