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Paul Manship
Flight of Europa, 1925
Beautifully balanced, both technically and aesthetically, Flight of Europa exemplifies Manship's mature Art Deco style. With sleek modeling, he depicts a scene from Greek mythology. According to legend, Princess Europa became so intrigued with the docility of a magnificent bull that she climbed onto its back. Taking advantage of her trust, the bull -- actually a disguised Zeus, king of the gods -- kidnapped her and carried her across the sea. On the island of Crete, Zeus revealed himself in human form and took her as a lover.
Manship's muscular bull stretches his legs to soar above a school of swimming dolphins. His undulating bulk contrasts dramatically with his delicate, upright passenger. A prim Europa, looking backward, seems unconcerned about her journey. As a winged Eros whispers in her ear, a tiny smile plays across her lips -- suggestive of archaic Greek sculpture that the artist deeply admired. |