Maestro Bouguereau has painted a lot of crap - mostly woman more or less dressed. But he also had many great moments, full of drama, insight and pure bliss.

"Homer and his guide" is one such moment. It shows the dignity and vulnerability of the great (blind) author - and the aggression and hate he faces from dogs and enemies (in the background). The scene plays on Mount Ida - and Homer is protected and guided by the goat herder Glaucus. Notice the lyra on Homers back - his instrument as a poet - and his firm posture - like nothing in the world can shake him. The boy seems more afraid than he is - he holds - rather nervously - a big stone in his hand.

It’s also a great scene about compassion and following your path, even when you need outside help and you are despised by others.

The moment is taken from a tale about Homer - as Homer himself seems to be only a fictional character. So the creator of some of the greatest Greek myths - the Iliad and the Odyssey - turns out to be a myth himself.