Artwork

Io, transformed into a cow, is handed to Juno by Jupiter

Io, transformed into a cow, is handed to Juno by Jupiter, by David Teniers the Younger, oil, 1638
Io, transformed into a cow, is handed to Juno by Jupiter, by David Teniers the Younger, oil, 1638

Io, transformed into a cow, is handed to Juno by Jupiter is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist David Teniers the Younger. It dates from 1638 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The artwork illustrates the myth of Io, a nymph transformed into a cow by Jupiter, who then presents her to Juno. This scene captures the moment of divine intervention and the subsequent transfer of the transformed figure, embodying themes of metamorphosis and power dynamics among the gods.

Technique & Style

The work was executed on a copper support and painted with oil pigments in 1638. Teniers rendered the mythological scene with delicate chiaroscuro and precise brushwork, emphasizing the moment of divine transformation. The composition is balanced, with figures arranged in a shallow spatial setting that highlights the narrative gesture.

History & Provenance

David Teniers the Elder painted Io, transformed into a cow, is handed to Juno by Jupiter in 1638 on copper. The work entered the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains on display.

The painting was commissioned as part of a mythological series and has been part of the museum's holdings since its creation.

Context
The work is housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, reflecting its significance within the artist's mythological oeuvre and Baroque period production.

The mythological scene depicting Io transformed into a cow and presented to Juno by Jupiter was executed by David Teniers the Elder in 1638 on copper panel, as documented in archival records.

The work is housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, reflecting its significance within the artist's mythological oeuvre and Baroque period production.

Scholarly attention has focused on its compositional relationship to contemporary mythological paintings and its role in understanding Teniers' approach to classical subjects.

Legacy

The mythological scene depicting Io transformed into a cow and presented to Juno by Jupiter has been recognized as a significant work in the evolution of mythological painting in the 17th century. Attributed to David Teniers the Elder and painted in 1638 on copper, the composition reflects the Baroque fascination with complex narrative moments and divine intervention. Its presence in the Kunsthistorisches Museum collection has contributed to scholarly discussions of mythological subjects in Northern European art, particularly in relation to the treatment of transformation myths.

The work is frequently cited in studies of Teniers' influence on later artists who explored similar themes of metamorphosis and celestial authority, establishing a precedent for narrative clarity and emotional restraint in mythological painting.

The painting's inclusion in major museum inventories and its documented provenance have reinforced its status as a representative example of mythological art from the period, often referenced in academic analyses of mythological painting's role in shaping visual storytelling traditions.

Overview

Io, transformed into a cow, is handed to Juno by Jupiter is a 1638 copper painting by Flemish Baroque artist David Teniers the Younger, depicting a mythological scene from classical lore.

Rural landscape with the expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 21:14-21)
Rural landscape with the expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael (Genesis 21:14-21), Abraham Bloemaert

Artist & collection

Portrait of David Teniers the Younger

Artist

David Teniers the Younger

David Teniers the Younger or David Teniers II was a Flemish Baroque painter, printmaker, and artist.

Reviews

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Io, transformed into a cow, is handed to Juno by Jupiter?

Io, transformed into a cow, is handed to Juno by Jupiter was painted by David Teniers the Younger in 1638.

Where can I see Io, transformed into a cow, is handed to Juno by Jupiter?

Io, transformed into a cow, is handed to Juno by Jupiter is held by Kunsthistorisches Museum.

What movement is Io, transformed into a cow, is handed to Juno by Jupiter?

Io, transformed into a cow, is handed to Juno by Jupiter is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Io, transformed into a cow, is handed to Juno by Jupiter?

Museum-quality prints of Io, transformed into a cow, is handed to Juno by Jupiter are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.