Once a year, Penelope orders for a painter to come and make a painting of Telemachus.
So when Odysseus finally returns, thereâs a gallery of 20 paintings, showing how year after year, Telemachus grew into the young man he was now.
In some of them, Telemachus is dressed properly as a prince of Ithaca. In others, he is doing some of his daily activities (reading, playing with Argos, writing, playing the lyre), as the painter came around so often that the prince stopped caring to pose for an entire day in an uncomfortable attire.
There is one, that Odysseus finds himself staring at the longest.
Itâs the twelfth painting. Where Telemachus is accompanied by his mother.
The young boy sits at her side, as she carefully teaches him to weave. It was painted in their room, as a part of the olive tree that is their bed, is also captured in the back.
Odysseus sobs, and thanks his wife for bringing the lost years in such a beautiful form to him.
Even years after his return, the King often is found in the small gallery, watching his son slowly grow with each step.
(I love this family your honour)
