The Abduction of Europa

Currently not on view

The Abduction of Europa

1727

Noël-Nicolas Coypel (French, 1690–1734)

According to the story told in Ovid's Metamorphoses, the god Jupiter, smitten with the nymph Europa, transformed himself into a white bull and abducted her. Here Jupiter swims away with Europa on his back attended by a host of sea deities.Celebrated since it was entered in a royal painting competition in 1727, this picture has been in Philadelphia since 1815. It belonged to Joseph Bonaparte, who lived here in exile following the fall of his brother, the emperor Napoleon.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

The Abduction of Europa

Date:

1727

Artist:

Noël-Nicolas Coypel (French, 1690–1734)

Medium:

Oil on canvas

Dimensions:

50 1/4 inches × 6 feet 4 3/8 inches (127.6 × 194 cm) Framed: 58 5/8 inches × 7 feet 1 inches × 5 inches (148.9 × 215.9 × 12.7 cm)

Classification:

Paintings

Credit Line:

Acquired with the kind assistance of John Cadwalader, Jr., through the gift of Mr. and Mrs. Orville Bullitt (by exchange), the Edith H. Bell Fund, and other Museum funds, 1978

Accession Number:

1978-160-1

Geography:

Made in France, Europe

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Currently not on view