Abduction of Europa (Rape of Europa)

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
In Greek mythology, Europa was the daughter of Agenor, king of Tyre. Zeus fell in love with her and, disguising himself as a white bull, came to where she played by the seashore with her attendants. Beguiled by the bull's good nature, she placed garland and flowers on its horns and climbed upon its back. Zeus took her to Crete where, resuming his normal shape, he ravished her. In some depictions of this scene Europa may be shown climbing on to the bull, helped by her attendants, or the animal is seen making its way towards the water with the girl on its back. The most frequently depicted scene shows Zeus as a bull plunging through the waves, a frightened Europa clutching a horn, while her maidens stand forlornly on the distant shore. 

Adapted from
DMA unpublished material

NOTES
General Description source: "Reformation to Enlightenment," DMA research document, n.d., Education files.

Checked Piction

Ovid's Metamorphoses
He gently march'd along, and by degrees
Left the dry meadow, and approach'd the seas;
Where now he dips his hoofs and wets his thighs,
Now plunges in, and carries off the prize.
The frighted nymph looks backward on the shoar,
And hears the tumbling billows round her roar;
But still she holds him fast: one hand is born
Upon his back; the other grasps a horn:
Her train of ruffling garments flies behind,
Swells in the air, and hovers in the wind.

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General Description
In Greek mythology, Europa was the daughter of Agenor, king of Tyre. Zeus fell in love with her and, disguising himself as a white bull, came to where she played by the seashore with her attendants. Beguiled by the bull's good nature, she placed garland and flowers on its horns and climbed upon its back. Zeus took her to Crete where, resuming his normal shape, he ravished her. In some depictions of this scene Europa may be shown climbing on to the bull, helped by her attendants, or the animal is seen making its way towards the water with the girl on its back. The most frequently depicted scene shows Zeus as a bull plunging through the waves, a frightened Europa clutching a horn, while her maidens stand forlornly on the distant shore. 

Adapted from
DMA unpublished material

Fun Facts
 
Archival Resources
 
Web Resources
 

Notes
General Description source: "Reformation to Enlightenment," DMA research document, n.d., Education files.

Checked Piction

Ovid's Metamorphoses
He gently march'd along, and by degrees
Left the dry meadow, and approach'd the seas;
Where now he dips his hoofs and wets his thighs,
Now plunges in, and carries off the prize.
The frighted nymph looks backward on the shoar,
And hears the tumbling billows round her roar;
But still she holds him fast: one hand is born
Upon his back; the other grasps a horn:
Her train of ruffling garments flies behind,
Swells in the air, and hovers in the wind.

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1989.133.FA
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*European Art
mythology (literary genre): AAT: 300055985
bulls (animals): AAT: 300250117
Zeus (Greek deity): DMA
Pierre_Jean Baptiste Marie: ULAN: 500001529
source file
in_focus-0035.xml.nores