Europa and the Bull: Jacques Lipchitz

Europa and the Bull is one of the oldest myths in our known oral history. There are obvious sexual implications as bulls are emblematic of virility and supreme male power. Here are two sculptures by Jacques Lipchitz, one in the University of Arizona Museum of Art, and the other in the Art Institute of Chicago. Here's a link to the Lipchitz work in Chicago.

To quote Peter Dawkins: "The myth relates how Zeus fell in love with the beautiful Europa and took on the form of a magnificent white bull in order to win her attention and affection. She subsequently fell in love with him, placed garlands around his neck and climbed onto his mighty shoulders. Zeus promptly took off with her, flying across the dark ocean of the universe to the Earth, where they came to rest in a secret place and made love. The result of their union was the birth of Hermes (Mercury)."

Europa and the Bull, Jacques Lipchitz, Art Institute of Chicago

Europa and the Bull, Jacques Lipchitz, University of Arizona Museum of Art