Leda and the Swan 1515 - 1557

Bachiacca painted this small panel of Leda and the Swan in the early 16th century, immortalizing the mythical union of a mortal queen and the god Zeus, here appearing as a swan. But let us look closely at the egg, a symbol of birth and renewal, and notice how it reappears throughout history. From ancient Egyptian cosmology, where the world was hatched from a cosmic egg, to the Christian symbolism of the egg as a metaphor for resurrection, this motif carries layers of meaning. Here, the twins emerging from the eggs evoke the powerful subconscious processes of creation and transformation. The emotional intensity of the scene, charged with both tenderness and raw sensuality, engages viewers on a deep level. Notice that the egg symbol is not static; it evolves, resurfacing in different contexts. This cyclical progression speaks to our collective memory, reminding us of the enduring power of ancient symbols to resonate in new forms.