A couple of days ago I posted John William Waterhouse's "The Siren".

He was fascinated by Homer's "Odyssey" and the story of the Greek hero Odysseus (or Ulysses, as he was known in Roman myths) and his long journey home following the fall of Troy.

Here is his painting of the Sirens approaching Odysseus on his voyage.

John_William_Waterhouse_-_Ulysses_and_the_Sirens_(1891)

Ulysses and the Sirens (1891) John William Waterhouse

"Odysseus had the sailors stuff their ears with wax. He had himself tied to the mast for he wanted to hear their beautiful voices. The Sirens sang when they approached, their words even more enticing than the melody. They would give knowledge to every man who came to them, they said, ripe wisdom and a quickening of the spirit. Odysseus' heart ran with longing but the ropes held him and the ship quickly sailed to safer waters."

It is interesting to note that Waterhouse has included SIX sirens in his painting, whereas only three are usually mentioned in ancient mythology. Homer had only TWO in his story.