Italian school; c. 1900.

Italian school; c. 1900.
"The Rape of Europa".
Alabaster.
Measurements: 53 x 38 x 15 cm.
The sculpture presented here represents the Greek myth of Europa. It depicts Europa and Zeus, who takes the form of a bull to seduce the young woman. Finely executed, the composition captures the precise moment of the princess's abduction. In most versions of the myth, Europa is described as the daughter of the royal couple of Tyre, in Phoenicia. Endowed with extraordinary beauty, she attracts the attention of Zeus. To approach her, the king of the gods transforms himself into a magnificent white bull and approaches her as she walks along the seashore. Enchanted by the animal's gentleness, Europa affectionately caresses it. The bull then lies down, inviting her to climb onto his back. Zeus takes the opportunity to abduct her and flees across the sea, taking her to Crete.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Italian school maintained a strong connection with academicism, though incorporating influences of symbolism and a taste for the decorative. Compositions of this type usually stand out for their formal balance, the careful treatment of the figure and an evocative atmosphere that combines classical tradition with a modern sensibility.