The Rape of Europa

"The Rape of Europa," created by Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée) in 1634, is a significant early print illustrating one of the most famous myths of classical antiquity. This impression, utilizing both etching and drypoint techniques, is identified as the third state of seven documented variants (Mannocci). The work captures the moment the Phoenician princess Europa, surrounded by accompanying women, is preparing to mount the magnificent bull, actually the god Jupiter in disguise, who will abduct her.

Lorrain, primarily renowned for his idealized Italianate landscapes, demonstrates his atmospheric control and ability to render dense, naturalistic settings even within the intimate scale of this print. The composition is framed by robust trees, typical of the 17th-century Roman campagna style he pioneered. In the distance, the suggestion of ships and coastal light hints at the journey Europa is about to undertake across the sea, referencing the myth's location and subsequent narrative.

This masterful print resides in the extensive collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, serving as a key example of the French artist's contribution to the printmaking tradition during the Baroque period. The subtle lines achieved through drypoint give texture and depth, particularly evident in the details of the cows and the foreground foliage. Due to the historical importance and age of this masterwork, high-quality prints derived from works like The Rape of Europa are often found within public domain art collections, ensuring widespread access to Lorrain's meticulous draftsmanship and his influence on subsequent generations of landscape artists.