The Rape of Europa

Artwork: The Rape of Europa

Artist: Pierre Gobert

Created: c. 1710-1720

Medium: Oil on canvas

Dimensions: 124 x 157.5 cm (estimate without frame)

Location: Victoria and Albert Museum, London, UK

Photography by @webgalleryofvisualart (L-C E)

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‘’In classical mythology, Jupiter, king of the gods, took the form of a white bull and abducted the Phoenician princess Europa. Louis XIV’s foremost portrait painter depicted this myth, according to the description in Book II of Ovid’s Metamorphoses, first published in French in 1619.

He alludes to the king’s power and prowess as a lover by portraying five female members of the French royal family.’’

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