Rape of Europa 1504 - 1514

Pinturicchio painted this panel of the Rape of Europa around 1500, using tempera and gold leaf on wood. The traditional, fine art materials give the panel a precious quality, befitting its subject matter, the abduction of a Phoenician princess by Zeus in the form of a bull. The artist's technique, though, reflects a highly refined and laborious process. Notice the careful application of gold leaf to the background. This required meticulous preparation of the wood surface, followed by the delicate layering of gold, burnished to a radiant sheen. The tempera paint, made from pigment and egg yolk, would have been applied in thin, translucent layers, allowing Pinturicchio to build up subtle gradations of color and form. The use of these materials and techniques wasn't merely aesthetic. They were deeply intertwined with social values of the time. The precious materials speak to wealth and status, while the labor-intensive processes reflect the value placed on skilled craftsmanship. By understanding the making of this panel, we gain insight into the cultural and economic context in which it was created, challenging the idea of art as purely aesthetic expression.