The Rape of Europa
1761
oil
canvas
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
About the artist
Artist
Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre
Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre (1714–1789) was a French artist, born in Paris.
See the richer artist page1761
oil
canvas
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
The Rape of Europa is a 1761 oil by Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre, held at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
This painting depicts a scene of abduction, with a woman being carried away by a bull. The woman, dressed in a white and gold robe, is being pulled by the bull's horns, while other figures in the background seem to be trying to intervene or flee. The scene is set in a lush, natural environment, with trees, rocks, and a blue sky visible in the background. The woman's expression is one of distress and fear, while the bull appears powerful and unyielding. The use of chiaroscuro in this painting creates a sense of drama and tension, highlighting the contrast between light and dark. To learn more about this technique, look up chiaroscuro.
Jean-Baptiste Marie Pierre (1714–1789) was a French artist, born in Paris.
See the richer artist page
