Latona Turning the Lycian Peasants into Frogs c. 1730

Johann Georg Platzer painted this panel depicting Latona turning the Lycian Peasants into frogs, sometime in his career, between 1704 and 1761. Platzer’s scene illustrates a story from Ovid’s Metamorphoses and demonstrates the politics of imagery within the Habsburg Empire. We see the goddess Latona, mother of Apollo and Diana, being insulted by peasants who prevent her from drinking from a stream. As punishment, Latona transforms them into frogs. Made in Austria, Platzer’s painting blends the Italian Baroque style with the traditions of Northern Europe. The Habsburg Empire often used mythological themes to legitimize its power and reinforce social hierarchies. The story of Latona served as a cautionary tale, warning against disrespecting authority. The peasants' transformation into frogs symbolizes the consequences of defying the established order. To fully appreciate this work, we can examine the visual codes and cultural references that Platzer employed. Research into the Habsburg Empire's use of mythology in art and propaganda can shed light on the painting's socio-political context. We can start by looking at publications of the Warburg Institute.