The Fight between Ulysses and Irus

Art Historical Context

In the electrifying engraving *The Fight between Ulysses and Irus* (1589), Jan Muller captures a dramatic episode from Homer's *Odyssey*. Here, the disguised hero Ulysses clashes with the boastful beggar Irus in a raw test of strength outside the palace of Penelope. Muller, a masterful Dutch engraver from Haarlem, worked after a design by his contemporary Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem, a leading figure in the Northern Mannerist movement. This style shines through in the dynamic, elongated figures and theatrical poses, emphasizing tension and emotion over classical harmony. Created as an engraving on laid paper—a fine, textured support typical of 16th-century prints—this work exemplifies the reproductive print's power to disseminate grand compositions to a wider audience beyond oil paintings. At 42.6 x 32.8 cm, its scale draws viewers into the fray, with Muller's precise linework conveying muscle strain, flying garments, and chaotic onlookers. Produced amid the Dutch Revolt's cultural ferment, it reflects Mannerism's flair for mythological narratives, blending classical antiquity with Renaissance innovation. A gift to the National Gallery of Art from Ruth Cole Kainen, this print invites us to ponder heroism's gritty side—welcome to the virtual gallery!