The rape of Europe
[Cantate]
| Catalogue ID | 1.10 |
|---|---|
| Artist | Master of the Roman Songbook (1650-1660); Domenico Jacovacci (1604-1661) |
| Object type | miniature · initial: Historiated initial |
| Date | ca. 1640 |
| Place | Rome |
| Collection | Biblioteca Casanatense (Rome) |
| Inv. no. | I-Rc_Ms_2478_04 |
| Tech. / support | black chalk, brown ink, pen |
| Measures | 60 × 80 mm |
| Subject | 48C711 — composer at work 92D1521 — Cupid shooting a dart |
The vignette illustrates one of the mythological subjects recounted in Ovid's Metamorphoses, The Rape of Europe. Europe is the daughter of the rulers of Tire in Phenicia (Lebanon). Of great beauty, she is coveted by Zeus. The king of the gods dresses up as a white bull to approach her on a beach where she is walking. When Europe approaches to pet him, the bull lies down inviting her to ride on his back. Zeus kidnaps Europe and flees across the sea to Crete. The composition sees the couple escorted into the waters by a flying Cupid, pulling the bull with a string of flowers. Ashore, on the left, are the female companions of Europa, moved to despair while bearing witness to the scene.
- Cantata
- Bel tempo ch’havete.
- Composer
- Arcangelo Lori (1615-1679)
- Manuscript
- Casanatense cantata album — I-Rc_Ms_2478
Annibaldi, C. (1987). La cappella musicale... (pp. 44-46)
Biblioteca Casanatense — 1873–nowadays current
