Jupiter and Europa, from 'Game of Mythology' (Jeu de la Mythologie)

Art Historical Context

Behold *Jupiter and Europa*, a delicate etching from the rare *Game of Mythology* (*Jeu de la Myth*), created in 1644 by the masterful Italian printmaker Stefano della Bella. tiny gem—measuring just 1 7/8 × 2 3/16 inches—captures the classical myth of Jupiter, king of the gods, transforming a bull to carry off the beautiful Europa across the sea. Part of a collaborative project involving poet Jean Desmarets de Saint-Sorlin for the verses, publisher Henri Le Gras, and the patronage of Cardinal Jules Mazarin and the young Louis XIV, it reflects the opulent cultural tastes of mid-17th-century France. As the first state of five, this etching showcases della Bella's virtuoso technique: intricate line work and fine shading that bring mythological drama to life on a miniature scale. Etching allowed for precise, reproducible details, making such luxury games accessible to the elite. Produced during France's Baroque era, it blends Italian finesse with French classicism, evoking the grandeur of Versailles' future myth-inspired gardens. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (gift of Robert Hartshorne, 1918), this print invites us to ponder how games once educated and entertained nobility with ancient tales—proof that even the gods played by the rules of 17th-century whimsy.

About the Artist

Stefano della Bella|Jean Desmarets de Saint-Sorlin|Henri Le Gras|Louis XIV, King of France|Cardinal Jules Mazarin · 1610–1664

Stefano della Bella (1610-1664) was one of the most prolific and versatile printmakers of the Italian Baroque period, leaving behind 1,052 prints and several thousand drawings that captured the vivid essence of 17th-century European life. Born in Florence on May 18, 1610, to a family of artists, he trained initially as a goldsmith before studying painting under Cesare Dandini and etching under Rem...