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Europa and the Bull (L'enlèvement d'Europe)

Claude Lorrain

1634

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque

Dominant colour

Europa and the Bull (L'enlèvement d'Europe) is a 1634 ink by Claude Lorrain, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Claude Lorrain
When & what style?: 1634 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This etching shows a woman sitting on a bull’s back as it wades into the ocean. In the distance, ships sail on calm water, and two bare trees stand on a rocky shore. The scene is busy with small figures on the beach, some gathered in groups, others walking. The artist used fine lines to show light hitting the waves and the woman’s flowing hair. The dark, swirling water contrasts with the lighter sky and land. Check out the technique: etching to see how artists like Lorrain made prints like this.