Jupiter en Alcmene c. 1537 - 1555

"Jupiter en Alcmene" is an engraving by Cornelis Bos from c. 1537 to 1555. The work depicts the Roman god Jupiter in the form of an eagle as he embraces Alcmene, a mortal woman who will bear his son Heracles. This subject matter is common in Renaissance art, as it speaks to the power of love and the divine intervention in human affairs. The engraving is housed in the Rijksmuseum and showcases Bos's skilled handling of light and shadow, creating a dramatic and evocative scene. The composition is arranged in a clear and direct manner, with the figures positioned in the foreground and the landscape receding in the background.