Leda and the Swan 1770

Salomon Gessner created this print, "Leda and the Swan", in 1776. Gessner, a Swiss artist working in the late 18th century, was known for his idyllic landscapes and interpretations of classical mythology. Here, Gessner presents the story of Leda, queen of Sparta, and her encounter with Zeus who has taken the form of a swan. Representations of Leda often focus on the moment of seduction or assault, but Gessner’s portrayal is more subtle. Leda stands at the water's edge, draped in cloth, with the swan nestled against her. This image can be seen as a reflection of the era’s fascination with classical themes, filtered through the lens of the Enlightenment. While the myth itself speaks to power and vulnerability, Gessner's print invites us to consider the nuances of this encounter. How do we reconcile the beauty of the scene with the unsettling nature of the myth it depicts? And how does our own understanding of power and consent shape our reading of this image today?