De ontvoering van Europa 1580

Lucas Mayer created this print, "The Abduction of Europe", sometime in the late 16th century. Mayer was working in a Europe rife with religious conflict and social upheaval. Here, we see the classic mythological scene where Zeus, disguised as a bull, carries Europa away. But what does it mean to depict this scene during the late Renaissance? The story is traditionally one of power and dominance, where Europa is a passive figure, and the bull a symbol of male virility and divine authority. In the 16th century, images like this were often used to explore ideas about beauty, desire, and the relationship between humans and gods. Yet, the myth of Europa is not just a tale of abduction; it's also a story of cultural exchange. Europa, after all, gives her name to an entire continent. Mayer’s print invites us to consider the complex layers of history, power, and identity embedded within this enduring myth, and how even classical tales can be used to reflect on the artist's contemporary world.