Penelope taking down the Bow of Ulysses, 18th century (oil on canvas)

Angelica Kauffman RA (Chur 1741 – Rome 1807). Oil painting on canvas, Penelope taking down the Bow of Ulysses by Angelica Kauffman RA (Chur 1741 – Rome 1807), exhibited at the Society for Artists in 1768 and the Royal Academy in 1769. A scene from Homer's Odyssey 21: 352-3, when Penelope promises to marry whoever could emulate Ulysses' feat of shooting an arrow between twelve axe-rings placed in a row. She reaches up for the bow in the centre and a servant with the quiver, kneels beside her, on the left, with the axes and arrows on the ground in front. Behind them are two large classical columns and red drapery on the right. Saltram, Devon (Accredited Museum)