Europa and the Bull (#1)

Copied Paul Manship, Europa and the Bull (#1), 1924, bronze on marble base, 10 1⁄4 x 12 1⁄2 x 7 1⁄8 in. (26 x 31.6 x 18.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.40

Artwork Details

Title
Europa and the Bull (#1)
Artist
Date
1924
Location
Dimensions
10 1⁄4 x 12 1⁄2 x 7 1⁄8 in. (26 x 31.6 x 18.1 cm)
Credit Line
Bequest of Paul Manship
Mediums
Mediums Description
bronze on marble base
Classifications
Subjects
  • Figure female — nude
  • Animal — cattle
  • Mythology — classical — Europa
  • Mythology — classical — Zeus
Object Number
1966.47.40
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1966.47.40

Artwork Description

These sculptures illustrate the story of Zeus, king of the gods in classical mythology, and the princess Europa. Zeus fell in love with Europa while watching her gather flowers by the sea, and approached her in the form of a great white bull. She was frightened, but soon began to play with the creature, and once she had climbed on his back, Zeus swam across the sea to Crete. In Europa and the Bull, the girl is shown caressing the face of the bull, and in Flight of Europa, she rides on his back as they travel across the water. Manship made many replicas of these sculptures and often gave them to his friends as souvenirs.