The Rape of Europa 

Reuben Nakian’s bronze sculpture, titled ‘The Rape of Europa,’ boldly reimagines a classical myth through a modern lens. Nakian, working in the mid-20th century, lived through periods of intense social change and conflict, influencing his desire to reinterpret historical narratives. This sculpture depicts Europa’s abduction by Zeus in the guise of a bull. But Nakian's vision disrupts traditional depictions of the scene. Instead of focusing on the literal act of abduction, he conveys the emotional and psychological dimensions of the encounter. Nakian himself stated, “I am more interested in the emotional impact of the myth.” The rough, expressive modeling of the bronze captures Europa’s vulnerability. Her form merges with that of the bull, blurring the lines between consent and coercion, human and animal. The sculpture invites us to question the power dynamics inherent in the original myth. It challenges us to consider how these stories perpetuate or subvert patriarchal narratives. The work echoes the anxieties and re-evaluations of gender and power that defined the era in which Nakian created it.