Leda and the Swan (Rubens)

In his first depiction, the brushstrokes are looser, it is not as detailed, there is less landscape, no elaborate headpiece, the colors are muted, and the drapes are green.

In his second painting, the brushstrokes are more precise, there is more detail, there is a clearer landscape in the background, an elaborate headpiece, more vibrant colors, and the drapery is white and red.

[6] A common Renaissance and Baroque theme is females that are abducted or seduced by divinities.

[7] This includes Leda and the swan as Zeus, as well as Europa, Antiope, and Danae.

Leda is shown fully nude with her buttocks and left breast being visible.

[10] She is the mother of several children though she is most known for giving birth to Clytemnestra, Helen, Pollux, and Castor.

[11] The most common myth claims that Zeus transformed himself into a swan to couple with Leda.

[18] According to Hermes in Lucians’ The Dialogues of the Dead, Leda and her daughter (Helen of Troy) are the only women worthy of the title "beauties of old".

Media related to Category:Leda and the Swan by Peter Paul Rubens at Wikimedia Commons