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Description

17th century Italian school. "The Rape of Europa". Oil on canvas. Relined. The frame presents faults in the stucco and in the polychromy. Measurements: 97 x 135 cm; 129 x 166 cm (frame). The one of the abduction of Europa is one of the most known legends within the love affairs of Zeus. Europa was a Phoenician woman from Tyre, who was picking flowers on the beach accompanied by her ladies when she was spotted by the god. The god, smitten by her, transformed himself into a beautiful white bull and mingled with her father's cattle. She saw him and, seduced by his gentleness and beauty, rode on him, at which point the disguised god ran into the sea and swam to the island of Crete, carrying Europa on his back. Once there, Zeus revealed his true identity, and after joining her, made her the first queen of the island. In addition, the god gave Europa a necklace made by Hephaestus, a bronze automaton, a dog that never let go of its prey and a javelin that never missed. The artist of our composition focuses on the moment of full confidence of the lady, who appears mounted on Zeus, before he sets off on the run, while she is surrounded by the ladies of his retinue. The composition is peaceful, despite the dense silver and golden sky that heralds the abduction. This allows him to give priority to the description of the velvety smoothness of the clothes, the jewels reflecting the cold light that bathes the atmosphere, the ivory flesh tones... The volumetric work of the bodies, modelled by light and colour, and the sensual plasticity of qualities and atmospheres stand out. Other important artists have depicted this theme: Rubens (following Titian) was interested in the convulsion of the female body, held to the bull only by the horn. Rembrandt, for his part, depicted the abduction itself, the escape by sea.

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17th century Italian school. "The Rape of Europa". Oil on canvas. Relined. The frame presents faults in the stucco and in the polychromy. Measurements: 97 x 135 cm; 129 x 166 cm (frame). The one of the abduction of Europa is one of the most known legends within the love affairs of Zeus. Europa was a Phoenician woman from Tyre, who was picking flowers on the beach accompanied by her ladies when she was spotted by the god. The god, smitten by her, transformed himself into a beautiful white bull and mingled with her father's cattle. She saw him and, seduced by his gentleness and beauty, rode on him, at which point the disguised god ran into the sea and swam to the island of Crete, carrying Europa on his back. Once there, Zeus revealed his true identity, and after joining her, made her the first queen of the island. In addition, the god gave Europa a necklace made by Hephaestus, a bronze automaton, a dog that never let go of its prey and a javelin that never missed. The artist of our composition focuses on the moment of full confidence of the lady, who appears mounted on Zeus, before he sets off on the run, while she is surrounded by the ladies of his retinue. The composition is peaceful, despite the dense silver and golden sky that heralds the abduction. This allows him to give priority to the description of the velvety smoothness of the clothes, the jewels reflecting the cold light that bathes the atmosphere, the ivory flesh tones... The volumetric work of the bodies, modelled by light and colour, and the sensual plasticity of qualities and atmospheres stand out. Other important artists have depicted this theme: Rubens (following Titian) was interested in the convulsion of the female body, held to the bull only by the horn. Rembrandt, for his part, depicted the abduction itself, the escape by sea.

Estimate 8 000 - 8 500 EUR
Starting price 5 500 EUR

* Not including buyer’s premium.
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