Who painted Jupiter Suckling from the Goat Amalthea?

Jupiter Suckling from the Goat Amalthea was painted by Unknown in 1650.

Where can I see Jupiter Suckling from the Goat Amalthea?

Jupiter Suckling from the Goat Amalthea is held by Statens Museum for Kunst.

Artwork

Jupiter Suckling from the Goat Amalthea

Jupiter Suckling from the Goat Amalthea is a photography by Unknown. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1650 by the artist known as 865_person, this black‑and‑white image titled “Jupiter Suckling from the Goat Amalthea” is part of the collection of the Museum of Ethnography. The composition captures a dynamic mythological moment, rendered in stark tonal contrasts that give the scene a sculptural presence.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts the Roman god Jupiter in the act of nursing the infant Amalthea, a goat that, in myth, sustained the deity during his infancy. A muscular figure lifts the child while another hand reaches upward, and a goat’s head occupies the central space, underscoring the nurturing relationship between the divine and the animal.

Technique & Style

The image relies on pronounced chiaroscuro, using deep shadows against bright highlights to model the figures in three dimensions. Loose, sketch‑like brushstrokes create a sense of movement and texture, while the dark, swirling background isolates the central forms, enhancing their dramatic impact.

History & Provenance

Attributed to 865_person, the piece dates to the mid‑17th century and has been held by the Museum of Ethnography since its acquisition. Its provenance is limited to this institutional collection, where it remains an example of the period’s interest in classical mythology rendered through vigorous, high‑contrast drawing.