Gaspare Diziani, Belluno 1689 - 1767 Venice

Gaspare Diziani
Belluno 1689 - 1767 Venice
The Rape of Europe
Oil on canvas, relined
62.5 x 74.5 cm, with frame 78 x 90 cm
We would like to thank Dr. Dario Succi for the attribution to the artist.

Gaspare Diziani, an important 18th-century Venetian painter, was known for his vibrant colors, dynamic compositions, and elegant narrative scenes. A student of Sebastiano Ricci and Giovanni Antonio Pellegrini, he worked in the tradition of Venetian Rococo painting, which was characterized by lightness, movement, and decorative splendor. In addition to history paintings and mythological scenes, he also created frescoes and stage sets that demonstrate his ability for dramatic staging.
The present painting shows the famous mythological scene of the abduction of Europa, a narrative from Ovid's Metamorphoses. Zeus, smitten with love for the beautiful Phoenician princess Europa, transforms himself into a magnificent white bull and gently approaches her. When she trusts him and climbs onto his back, he carries her away across the sea to Crete, where she becomes the progenitrix of the Europeans.
Diziani sets the scene in an idyllic landscape by the sea. The sea extends across the center field and horizon, creating a broad, atmospheric depth. In a sunlit clearing, Europa, splendidly dressed, is seated on the recumbent bull – a moment of seduction and sensuality, even before the actual abduction. Two female attendants are at her side, seemingly supporting her or placing a floral ornament in her hair, just as a small putto is doing on the bull – possibly Amor, who symbolizes divine desire.
In the foreground, other figures enliven the scene: on the right, a woman sits with flowers, while on the left, another woman approaches, also wearing floral jewelry. These two could be interpreted as nymphs, emphasizing the natural beauty and fertility of the landscape. A particularly sensual detail is Europa's boldly exposed right foot, which Zeus tenderly licks in his bull form – an intimate gesture that emphasizes the seduction and erotic moment of the scene.
Diziani uses a bright, colorful palette typical of Venetian Rococo painting: warm golds and pinks contrast with the cool blues and greens of the landscape. The soft, sweeping lines and the sophisticated use of light give the painting an elegant lightness, while the figures are given a playful dynamism through their graceful movements and flowing robes.
This work impressively demonstrates Diziani's mastery in depicting mythological scenes full of grace, elegance and sensual atmosphere – the epitome of Venetian Rococo painting.