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Europa sexy?

Europe on the bull

Allegoric picture of 50 years of Roman contracts as headstone of the EU (Ladislav Dryák)

Understanding Europe on the bull according to ancient mythology:

This illustration corresponds to Ovid’s description in “Metamorphosis” of Henric F. Wurmeling’s book “Looking for Europe/On the search for Europe”, Langer Müller 2005, page 12-15, chapter I “Location Crete”. The hinted arm and the leg in this picture are also explained here: the imminent transformation of the bull Zeus into a youngling at the “Sacred Wedding” has been anticipated. Our European Union, founded in Rome in 1957, celebrated its “Golden Wedding Anniversary” in 2007. So the erotic touch corresponds to the mythology (Wedding) and was, therefore, purposely used by the artist on the occasion of this anniversary.

Original size of the painting approximately 100 x 120 cm.

Background:

Location Crete

One fine early morning, Europe, daughter of the Phoenician king Agenor in the country Tyrus, goes from the fatherly palace to the beach. Zeus, father of the gods and people, sees the girl and hopelessly falls in love with her.

“Sovereign’s dignity and love do neither go well together nor dwell together. He, the gods’ father and master, whose right has proved of lightning with threefold flame, who shakes the earth by his nod, turned into the figure of a young bull..”, tells us Ovid about this divine meeting between Zeus and the king’s daughter in his “Metamorphosis”. Zeus turns into a white bull, approaches the girl and lies down by her feet.

“…and, not knowing whom she burdens, the king’s daughter dares to sit on the bull’s back. Immediately, the god carries the track of his deceptive feet away from the dry shore, away from the land into the front waves, then hurries further away and carries his prey amidst the sea’s floods.”

The bull and Agenor’s daughter disappear in the waves. The transformed Zeus swims to Crete with Europe on his back. Soon they reach the island and go ashore the beach of Matala. Now he turns into a youngling and tells her who he is. In Gortys they relax in the shade of a palm tree. There, in a wicker brush, Zeus seduces the looted Europe.

How do you consider EUROPE? What is your attitude?

Be free and give us your – highly appreciated – message. 

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Jan Lammers from Aalten Holland

lammerssame(at)wanadoo.nl

Thursday, 22-05-08 13:21

I hope that the border(s) between Countries soon not more necessary are, in Europe. One this time too much
borders worry for One Europe for All people in Europe and give then the same rights and rules etc.

 
 
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