On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P01679
- Author
- Rubens, Peter Paul (Flemish)
- Title
- The Rape of Ganymede
- Chronology
- 1636-1638
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 181 cm x 87 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCION REAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
Jupiter was so taken with
Ganymede's beauty that he
transformed into an eagle to carry
her off to Mount Olympus, where she
became his cup-bearer.
Rubens drew this story from the
classical poet, Ovid's
Metamorphosis (X, 155-161). He
depicts the moment when the eagle
catches the young shepherdess and
lifts her into the air. The
diagonal composition has a
distinctly ascending sense and the
lightening bolt visible among the
clouds, which symbolizes the god,
alludes to the force and fury with
which the kidnapping takes
place.
Here, the artist drew on classical
sculpture. The figure of Ganymede
is based on one of the children of
the Helenistic group of Laocoonte,
in the Vatican Museum. The figure
of the eagle is based on some of
Rubens' other compositions.
This work was made for the Torre de
la Parada and its vertical format
indicates that it was intended to
be hung between two windows.
Location on the map
