---
title: Hermes and Calypso
author: John Flaxman
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21954/hermes-and-calypso/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2026-07-17
---
# Hermes and Calypso
_Authored by John Flaxman_
## Image File
[](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21954.jpg)
## Image Caption
*Mercury and Calypso*, black ink on ivory wove paper, c. 1775-1826.
[Hermes](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hermes/) (Mercury, to the Romans) brings to the [nymph](https://www.worldhistory.org/nymph/) Calypso the command from [Zeus](https://www.worldhistory.org/zeus/) that her captive [Odysseus](https://www.worldhistory.org/odysseus/) must be allowed to leave the island of Ogygia, as famously told in [Homer](https://www.worldhistory.org/homer/)'s ancient [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) epic *The [Odyssey](https://www.worldhistory.org/Odyssey/)* (c. 8th century BCE).
Art Institute of Chicago.
## Cite This Work
### APA
Flaxman, J. (2026, July 17). Hermes and Calypso. *World History Encyclopedia*.
### Chicago
Flaxman, John. "Hermes and Calypso." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 17, 2026. .
### MLA
Flaxman, John. "Hermes and Calypso." *World History Encyclopedia*, 17 Jul 2026, .
## License & Copyright
[Original image](https://www.artic.edu/artworks/77248/mercury-and-calypso) by **John Flaxman**. Submitted by [Zachary Kay](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/zacharykay/ "User Page: Zachary Kay"), published on 17 July 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.