Leda and the Swan, from 'The Loves of the Gods' 1531 - 1576

Editor: So, here we have "Leda and the Swan," an engraving by Giulio Bonasone from the mid-16th century, part of his series, ‘The Loves of the Gods.’ It's got this intense, almost unsettling feel to it. All the figures look as if they are twisting and full of restless energy. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Restless, yes, exactly! It's Mannerism, all elongated forms and elegant unease. For me, the scene plays out like a half-remembered dream – or a nightmare. Leda's pose is so artificial, that swan so…clingy. It lacks the classical grace you might expect, wouldn't you say? And then the hatching and engraving marks add to the intensity of the moment and heighten the sexual overtones in the print. Editor: The almost scratchy lines definitely add to the feeling of unease! I can't imagine how shocking this print would be during the Renaissance. What's interesting is how desexualized modern day view on reproduction is... Curator: Shocking, subversive, yes. It makes me think of Ovid's stories… where gods were very dangerous playfellows! Do you think Bonasone tried to capture some of that inherent danger, some kind of tension in it all? He may not have meant anything... but in reality, does that ever matter for art and beauty? Editor: It certainly feels that way. The god as animal and almost suffocating! Now that you mention Ovid it gives it more profound insight to me, like he depicted a tragic scene as a tale of romance. Curator: Right! Myth-making. That’s a great way to describe it and look at it! A lot to take from just one relatively small picture, huh? Editor: Totally. There are countless lenses to understand each work with. Thanks!