The Rape of Europa

Image credit: National Trust Images

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The god Jupiter has disguised himself as a docile white bull. According to Ovid's 'Metamorphoses', he falls in love with Europa, the daughter of Agenor, the King of Tyre. In order to have her for himself, Jupiter comes to the seashore where she is gathering flowers. She is attended by putti, who pull the garlands around the bull's horns and by her maidservants, who unwittingly aid him by helping her mount his back. He bears her across the sea to Crete where, resuming human form, he then ravishes her.

The painting is a pair with 'The Judgment of Midas' and has been in the Bankes collection since 1658/1659. It is an early work by the artist and was probably painted while he was staying in Rome between 1634–1637.

National Trust, Kingston Lacy

Wimborne Minster

Title

The Rape of Europa

Date

1634–1637

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 152.5 x W 190.5 cm

Accession number

1257125

Acquisition method

bequeathed by Ralph Bankes, 1981

Work type

Painting

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Normally on display at

National Trust, Kingston Lacy

Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 4EA England

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