Carlo Maratti, Italian, 1625-1713
Title: The Rape of Europa
Date: c.1680-1685
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
248 x 424 cm
Credit Line: Purchased, 1856
Object Number: NGI.81
DescriptionThis painting illustrates the passion of Jupiter for the young Europa, daughter of Agenor, King of Tyre. She was so beautiful that the god fell madly in love with her. One day, while Europa was gathering flowers in the meadows near the shore with her female attendants, Jupiter disguised himself as a docile bull and mingled with the group, raising the curiosity of Europa and her companions. The young princess, evidently attracted by the good nature of the bull, placed a fresh garland on his horns and mounted his back, after which the god swiftly abducted her and swam away to the island of Crete.
Many artists have interpreted this mythical episode, and the visual description offered by Carlo Maratti is one of the most accomplished. He preferred not to represent the more commonly portrayed abduction, but rather the moment just before it, when Europa and her friends are still joyfully playing in the field, unaware of the deceit. The result is an impressive composition of graceful and refined gestures, with attractive detail in the groups of flowers. Remarkably, for one of the largest canvases in the collection, it has no history before being purchased in Rome as part of a group of Italian Baroque canvases.
Many artists have interpreted this mythical episode, and the visual description offered by Carlo Maratti is one of the most accomplished. He preferred not to represent the more commonly portrayed abduction, but rather the moment just before it, when Europa and her friends are still joyfully playing in the field, unaware of the deceit. The result is an impressive composition of graceful and refined gestures, with attractive detail in the groups of flowers. Remarkably, for one of the largest canvases in the collection, it has no history before being purchased in Rome as part of a group of Italian Baroque canvases.
Provenance(?)Lebrun sale, Paris, September 1806; Mr R. MacPherson, Rome; purchased, Mr R. MacPherson, Rome, 1856
Exhibition HistoryGuido Reni and Europa: Ruhm und Nachruhm, Schirn Kunsthalle, Frankfurt, 1 December 1988 - 26 February 1989