The Rapture of Europe

Maarten de Vos painted "The Rapture of Europe" in Antwerp, likely in the late 16th century. This work visualizes a foundational myth for the continent of Europe, where Zeus, disguised as a bull, abducts the Phoenician princess Europa. De Vos's image invites consideration of the politics of imagery during the rise of European power. We see the narrative of a god from the east carrying a princess westward across the sea. The painting thus presents a subtle claim about cultural and political dominance during a time of exploration, colonization, and a shifting map of trade routes. To truly understand the role of this painting, we can turn to resources on the histories of cartography, mythology, and the politics of Antwerp, all of which reveal how cultural productions like this one were instrumental in shaping the identity and aspirations of a rising Europe.