The Art of the Odyssey - Thicket
Thicket
The Art of the Odyssey
Art & Architecture

The Art of the Odyssey

There is much fascination with Odysseus as a heroic figure, but he is only one of the many characters in the narrative epic, The Odyssey. In fact, other mortals, Gods, and mythical creatures played a major role in his journey. This course will explore the text itself, in both original and modern versions, as well as the attempt to capture this myth in art from the Classical period to the Modern. A study of the visual material will consider the changing perception of these figures, heroes, anti-heroes, and monsters alike, over the course of more than two millennia. 
Up to 15 students
Oct 21-Nov 25 (6 Lessons)
Wed, 3:00-4:00pm UTC

Your Instructor

Caroline Goldberg Igra
Caroline Goldberg Igra

PhD in Art History
New York University

Caroline Goldberg Igra is an art historian, a writer, and a triathlete. She splits her time between Philadelphia and Tel Aviv. She received a Ph.D. in Art History from the Institute of Fine Arts, NYU, after studying at Brown University and the University of Michigan. Among her art-historical publications are a monograph on the Polish artist J.D. Kirszenbaum, which was chosen as one of Slate Magazine's Best Books in 2013, and numerous articles in refereed academic journals. Her creative nonfiction has been featured in several literary journals, including the Jewish Book Council's PB Daily and Collateral. She has published three novels, the last, Pictures of My Desire, in October 2025.

What you'll learn

Understand how art is a direct reflection of culture.

Analyze the response to Homer's epic Odyssey from its origin to today.

Examine the evolution of artistic styles over two millennia.

Gain knowledge on how to look at, and describe, works of art.

Course Schedule

A consideration of Homer's original 8th c. BCE text and its appearance in Greek oral tradition and Classical Art in the 6th century BCE will be explored through both literary and visual manifestations. We will discuss allusions to the text in Virgil's Aeneid, red-figure pottery, and terracotta plaques reliefs.

What You Get

Live interactive sessions

Engage in real-time discussions with expert instructors

Small discussion groups

Up to 15 students for personalized attention

Session recordings

Review and revisit class content anytime

Dedicated platform

Track progress and organize your schedule

Frequently asked questions

Course-specific questions