1518
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
Dominant colour
Rape of Europa is a 1518 by Benedetto Montagna, a Renaissance work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.
This painting depicts a scene with three figures and an animal. A woman sits on a bull, while two other figures stand nearby. The background features a body of water, a castle, and mountains. The woman's dress is flowing, and her hair is tied back. The bull appears to be calm, with its head down. The two standing figures are dressed in simple clothing, with one holding a rope. The painting's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and volume. If you're interested in learning more about this technique, look up "chiaroscuro".
Benedetto Montagna (c. 1480–1555/58) was an Italian engraver and painter. Montagna was born in Vicenza, the son of the leading painter of the city, Bartolomeo Montagna, with whom he trained and perhaps continued to…
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