Artwork

Leda and the Swan

Leda and the Swan, by Enea Vico, 1540
Leda and the Swan, by Enea Vico, 1540

Leda and the Swan is a print by the Renaissance artist Enea Vico. It dates from 1540 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

This print depicts the mythological scene of Leda and the Swan, based on a design by Michelangelo. It shows Leda lying in a wooded area with a swan, embodying the encounter between Leda and Zeus in disguise.

Subject & Meaning

The print illustrates the myth of Leda and Zeus’s transformation into a swan, exploring the tense, intimate moment of their encounter. Leda’s focused gaze contrasts with the swan’s calm, highlighting the complex dynamics of the myth.

Technique & Style

Executed in a style characteristic of Renaissance prints, the work features meticulous line work, evident in the detailed rendering of leaves, branches, and the interplay of textures between Leda, the swan, and the natural surroundings.

History & Provenance

Designed by Michelangelo, this print is a later interpretation of his concept, reflecting the Renaissance practice of reinterpreting famous designs through various mediums.

Context

Created within the Renaissance tradition of leveraging mythological subjects, this print aligns with the era’s fascination with classical stories and artistic reinterpretation.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Enea Vico

Artist

Enea Vico

Enea Vico (29 January 1523 – 18 August 1567) was an Italian engraver. Vico was born in Parma. He specialized in grotesque engravings based on antique paintings. Vico made engravings for Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke…