The scene is inspired by the passage just after book 10 of the Odyssey, once Aeolus has given Ulysses a goatskin, which contained the winds that should have enabled him to sail home. Ulysses and his crew are on an island belonging to Helios, the sun God. These two gods are represented in the top corners of the drawing. The illustration shows Aeolus blowing on the sails of the boat and Helios shining a light on the island in the background. Once they arrive on the island the sailors disregard Ulysses’ command and eat the sacred cows of Helios’ Island. The sun god is vexed and demands justice to Zeus, who will break Ulysses ship in return, killing all of the crew but sparing Ulysses so he may make his way back.

I wanted to depict the confusion and disorder that must have filled the animals, knowing instinctively that a catastrophe was about to happen. The phoenix is an immortal being, yet is completely powerless in this situation, the ocelot, rare and fragile is afraid, and the lion king is bewildered.

• Technique India Ink Drawing
• Year 2014
• Size 19,5 x 27,5 in