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The Rape of Europa (L'enlevement d'Europe)

Paul Gauguin

National Gallery of Art

This is a painting of two figures on a horse with abstract and animal motifs in the background. The image captures an imaginative scene where two elongated, stylized figures are riding a horse, with a large bird depicted in a separate section of the image. The horse stands at the center of the composition, and the expressions and postures of the figures suggest a journey or movement. The background suggests abstract forms resembling clouds and celestial elements. The artwork employs a monochrome palette, emphasized by the use of bold outlines and shadows.

Artwork Details

Date
1898-1899
Medium
woodcut on chine collé, with a fragment of another print on back of mount
Dimensions
4010 × 4540 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original