Focus on this artwork and explore the Analysis.
Although it is not known who the client was, the inscription from Homer's Odyssey suggests that they were a member of the educated class with an interest in classical literature. The specific quotation, "NHΠENΘΕΣ", or nepenthe, could be labelling the contents of the cup; in the Odyssey, nepenthe is a drug used as a grief antidote. The woman's clothes, jewels and elaborate hairstyle also suggest that the woman was of high social class. The rope on the woman's leg is symbolic of the Franciscans.
Homer nepenthe Odyssey Franciscans