Jupiter et Europe c. 17th century

Editor: This is "Jupiter et Europe," an etching by Stefano della Bella from the 17th century. It's smaller than I imagined! I’m immediately drawn to Europa's calm expression as she rides the bull across the water. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Beyond the immediate narrative, I see a powerful layering of symbols. Consider the bull itself, a potent image of masculine strength and fertility across numerous cultures, here concealing Jupiter’s divine identity. And the sea! What does it signify to you in this context? Editor: Instability? The unknown? A barrier being crossed? Curator: Exactly! The sea often represents the subconscious, the border between worlds. Della Bella uses these established symbols, grounding his image in a shared cultural understanding. How does that impact your reading of Europa's serenity? Editor: It's like she's not afraid, even though she's entering a completely new reality…or being abducted, depending on how you frame it! The landscape feels like another character in the scene. Curator: Yes, notice how the landscape fades into the distance, almost dreamlike. Della Bella blurs the lines between the real and the mythical, inviting us to consider the enduring power of these stories, and how they continue to resonate across time. The choice of etching—with its delicate lines—also feels significant, softening the edges of a potentially violent act. Editor: I never thought about it that way. I was so focused on the straightforward depiction, I missed the deeper layers of meaning woven into familiar symbols. Curator: It's about recognizing how artists use those established visual cues to speak to us across centuries, to tap into collective cultural memories. Editor: It really gives you a new appreciation for how much these images can carry, beyond just the surface story. Thanks!