Lelio Orsi (1511-1587), Aegina with Jupiter as an Eagle, Pen and brown ink and shades of brown wash, partly squared in black chalk for transfer; 224 x 110 mm, Sotheby’s London, Master Works on Paper from Fife Centuries, 3 July 2024
The myth of Aegina and Jupiter (Zeus) frequently emerged as a vivid depiction of passion, transformation, and divine intervention. Inspired by Ovid’s ‘Metamorphoses’, it was popular due to its intense drama and sensuality, fitting the era’s fascination with human emotions.
Aegina, a beautiful mortal and daughter of the river god Asopus, attracted Jupiter’s attention. Jupiter transformed into an eagle to abduct her. Jupiter’s imagery as an eagle became a potent symbol of his power, divine will, and capacity for metamorphosis, while Aegina represented human vulnerability in the face of such omnipotent desire.
