The Rape of Europa

c. 1515/1520

Benedetto Montagna

Associated Names
Benedetto Montagna

Artist, Italian, c. 1480 - 1555 or 1558

The image shows a pastoral scene with figures, architecture, and natural elements. A woman is sitting on a bull with a crown of leaves, while another woman stands next to them conversing with a man holding a staff. In the background, there is a castle near water, with mountains in the distance. The ground has vegetation, a tree, and a tree stump. The drawing style is detailed and intricate, reminiscent of early Renaissance engravings.

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to plate mark): 17.9 x 12.6 cm (7 1/16 x 4 15/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1945.5.91

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Hind 'Engravings', Vol. 5, p.186, no. 42, State only

Artwork history & notes

Exhibition History

1973

  • Prints of the Italian Renaissance, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1973, no. 250.

1995

  • Tiziano: Amor Sacro e Amor Profano, Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome, 1995.

Bibliography

1938

  • Hind, Arthur M. Early Italian Engraving; a critical catalogue with complete reproductions of all the prints described. 7 vols. London: Bernard Quaritch Ltd., 1938-1948.

1973

  • Levenson et al. 1973, no.133.

Inscriptions

upper center in plate: BENEDETO / MONTAGNA

Wikidata ID

Q65019164

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