Painting Depicting The Rape Of Europa

Mythological oil painting on canvas depicting The Rape of Europe, a theme dear to Baroque and Renaissance iconography. The myth of the Rape of Europa, one of the most famous episodes of Ovid's Metamorphoses, symbolizes divine desire and amorous rapture. The scene portrays Europa, a young Phoenician princess, in the act of being kidnapped by Zeus, who has transformed into a bull. The girl, lying sideways on the animal's back, wears a light white dress that allows a glimpse of her body, underlining the sensuality of the myth. With her right hand she holds a flap of fluttering veil that creates an elegant curvilinear movement, while in her left she holds a bouquet of flowers.

The bull, with an imposing but expressive muzzle, emerges from the water, while in the background we can glimpse a coast with female figures and a fortified urban landscape, a probable reference to the departure from Phoenicia. The sky, with dark and dramatic tones, accentuates the heroic and at the same time poetic character of the composition.

Carved and gilded frame.

Dimensions: height: 142 cm - width: 193 cm

17th century, Italy.

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