In my essay I will be analyzing Titian’s The Rape of Europa; both the painting itself and the controversy surrounding its analysis. Its patronage, historical context, and its place in the Poesie will provide a background for its creation. An in depth visual analysis will be paired with contemporary and historical explanations for imagery and metaphor within the composition. Finally, an extensive account of the controversial interpretations of this painting will be discussed, and what these various accounts mean for the painting as an historical object and as a contemporary aesthetic experience. I will be arguing that The Rape of Europa was created to critic the other Poesie and that, regardless of its moral tone, the painting is still deserving of praise and attention. The Rape of Europa was commissioned by King Philip II of Spain as one of the series, and usually considered the last, of the Poesie; a group of mythological compositions. An analysis and comparison between the other compositions will be explored in addition to The Rape of Europa’s importance as the last of the Poesie. The prevalence and importance of mythological compositions during the Renaissance will be included in addition to understanding how a very Catholic king could have assimilated these pagan and erotic images into his religious…show more content… This painting though, includes some imagery expected of this story and for a mythological composition, but also deviates from some expectations. Titian’s other possible literary sources, and from whence he deviates, will be explored. Also, the symbolic use of color, light and shadow, use of brushstrokes, and background imagery will be analyzed in an attempt to discover the message or purpose of the composition. Some aspects I will concentrate on are how these tools are used to create a dramatic atmosphere and a sensuous
