Leda and the Swan

Gallery 373, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Main Building

Leda and the Swan

Early 16th century

Artist/maker unknown, Italian Follower of Leonardo da Vinci (Italian (active Florence, Milan, Mantua, Rome, and France), 1452–1519)

This painting of the standing Leda is based on Leonardo da Vinci's now-lost version of the same subject, known today mainly through copies. Leda embraces Zeus, who came to her in the form of a swan, while turning to observe the two sets of newly hatched twins, the result of their union. The Netherlandish landscape suggests a departure from Leonardo's original. Two artists may have worked on this painting: one for the figures and another for the landscape. The composition evidences the practice of adopting Leonardo's models for different settings.

Gallery 373, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Object Details

Titles:

Leda and the Swan

Date:

Early 16th century

Artists:

Artist/maker unknown, Italian Follower of Leonardo da Vinci (Italian (active Florence, Milan, Mantua, Rome, and France), 1452–1519)

Medium:

Oil on panel

Dimensions:

51 5/8 × 30 inches (131.1 × 76.2 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

John G. Johnson Collection, 1917

Accession Number:

Cat. 393

Geography:

Made in Italy, Europe

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Gallery 373, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Main Building

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