Leda 1890

Lovis Corinth painted this oil painting "Leda," illustrating a scene from Greek mythology that has resonated through the ages. Here, Leda’s reclining pose, her arms raised in a mixture of surprise and surrender, is contrasted against the sleek, gliding form of the swan. The swan is the god Zeus in disguise, and the crescent moon above adds to the mysterious and fateful atmosphere of their encounter. This scene has been depicted countless times, from ancient pottery to Renaissance paintings. Think of Correggio’s version, where Leda’s embrace seems more willing, or even Leonardo da Vinci’s lost painting, known only through copies, which likely emphasized the erotic tension of the myth. The motif of the swan, often a symbol of grace and beauty, is here charged with divine power, illustrating the way images can carry complex meanings. This powerful, symbolic encounter continues to engage our collective memory, resurfacing and evolving in new contexts throughout history.