The rape of Europa

The subject was depicted several times by Cornelis Schut and was very popular in Italy since Titian's version (now in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston). Our drawing refers to the mythological story of the abduction of Europa by Zeus. In the myth, the god assumed the form of a bull and enticed Europa to climb onto his back. Once there, the bull rode into the sea and carried her to Crete, where he revealed his real identity. Europa became the first Queen of Crete, and had three children with Zeus.
Brown ink and washes, 152 x 145mm
​​​​​​​Provenance: Private collection, France.