The Abduction of Europa

Gallery 383, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Main Building

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.

Gallery 383, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

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

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.

Gallery 383, European Art 1500-1850, third floor

Main Building

Museum map