DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.31769#0096
either in the 1490s or in the early 1500s, Leonardo da
Vinci painted a picture showing the classical erotic
theme of Leda and the Swan. This thematic composi-
tion is above all known from a number of other works
based on it by painters of the Leonardo school, such as
the oil painting in the Pembroke Collection in Salisbury,
England (see p. 96). But a drawing by Leonardo himself
also shows Leda and the Swan with bulrushes. 76 Without
doubt both the painting and the drawing are of an erotic
nature, for Leda is approached by the desirous god Zeus
(Jupiter) in the form of a swan whose aim it is to con-
ceive children with her. These children, Pollux and
Helena, as well as Castor and Clytemnestra (according
to some versions of the story) 7, represent the result of
Leonardo da Vinci
Leda and the Swan
97
Vinci painted a picture showing the classical erotic
theme of Leda and the Swan. This thematic composi-
tion is above all known from a number of other works
based on it by painters of the Leonardo school, such as
the oil painting in the Pembroke Collection in Salisbury,
England (see p. 96). But a drawing by Leonardo himself
also shows Leda and the Swan with bulrushes. 76 Without
doubt both the painting and the drawing are of an erotic
nature, for Leda is approached by the desirous god Zeus
(Jupiter) in the form of a swan whose aim it is to con-
ceive children with her. These children, Pollux and
Helena, as well as Castor and Clytemnestra (according
to some versions of the story) 7, represent the result of
Leonardo da Vinci
Leda and the Swan
97