In my early years, I often spent time absorbing the pages of my mom’s art books. It was invaluable, and at least in this one case, amusing. At some point, maybe I was 10 I stumbled upon a reproduction of Odilon Redon’s painting of the Cyclops.
Odilon Redon's The Cyclops
I don’t remember exactly what I thought, but I think I found it a little creepy. Although this monster seems soppy and is probably harmless, the fact that he’s leering at a naked woman didn’t escape me.
Regardless of speculation on my psychological response, I now have hard evidence of an artistic response.
The Cyclops and Pegasus
Here we see the monster is back, but wears a pointed horn and carries a spiked club. A knight wearing a spartan style helmet challenges the beast. Pegasus is tied to a rock and is none too happy about it. Now that I think about it, couldn’t Pegasus just fly upwards pulling the loop of the rope off the rock? It reminds me of how I got my bike stolen in Savannah.
The triumvirate of spartan warrior, Pegasus and the Cyclops certainly recalls Harryhausens work in the 7th Voyage of Sinbad and Clash of the Titans. Clash of the Titans was released in 1981 and it was certainly an influence.
Harryhausen's Cyclops
My Cyclops' Ugly Mug
Perhaps the knight is saying “Stay away from my woman!” or perhaps I was just disappointed with the flowery sentimentality of Redon’s impressionism and wanted to create a more meat and potatoes take on the Cyclops.
Share it.
I once read a line about books whispering to each other across the aisles at nite. I was reminded of this when I was reading a book in the Prey series by John Sandford, and this painting was mentioned. Thank you for uploading it. It is scary and I can’t imagine a 10-year-old looking at it and appreciating it. Good for you.