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Semele is Consumed by Jupiters Fire, 1731 (engraving)
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Semele is Consumed by Jupiters Fire, 1731 (engraving)
STC134136 Semele is Consumed by Jupiters Fire, 1731 (engraving) by Picart, Bernard (1673-1733); Private Collection; (add.info.: parents of Bacchus or Dionysus; ); The Stapleton Collection; French, out of copyright
Media ID 22346304
© The Stapleton Collection / Bridgeman Images
Cupid Dionysos Jupiter Lightning Lover Showering Thunderbolt Zeus Beds
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This engraving, titled "Semele is Consumed by Jupiter's Fire" transports us to a mythical realm where gods and mortals collide. Created in 1731 by the talented artist Bernard Picart, this print showcases the tragic fate of Semele, the mortal lover of Jupiter (also known as Zeus). In this dramatic scene, we witness Semele lying on a burning bed while being engulfed by Jupiter's thunderbolt-induced fire. The intensity of their love affair has proven fatal for poor Semele, as her mortal body cannot withstand the divine power unleashed upon her. Picart masterfully captures the classical elements within this mythological narrative. Cupid hovers above them, symbolizing both love and desire that led to this catastrophic event. The male figure showering from a vase represents Dionysus or Bacchus – their son who will be born prematurely due to his mother's untimely demise. The composition exudes an air of tragedy and vulnerability through its depiction of nudity and nakedness. It serves as a reminder that even gods are not immune to suffering when entangled in affairs with mortals. As we gaze at this remarkable piece from The Stapleton Collection, we are transported into an ancient world filled with passion, power struggles between deities, and ultimately the consequences faced by those who dare to challenge divine forces.
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