In Florence's showcase halls the exhibition «Il Mito d'Europa, da fanciulla rapita a continente», brings back to the public's attention the ancient origins of the name Europa, through the legend of the Phoenician lass who was kidnapped by Zeus disguised as a bull, and transported to Crete.

The legend was interpreted differently by ancient and modern people, yet from the name of its protagonist - of Semitic origin and perhaps connected to a root meaning West - the name Europe is supposed to be derived from, as the land west of Asia Minor.

Around 150 works are on display in Florence, illustrating through sculptures, decorative arts and manuscripts the main episodes of the legend that occupies a pivotal position in Greek-Roman mythology. A research through the historical ages to rediscover how the myth evolved through the civilisations, starting from classic figurative arts with bas-reliefs, mosaics, gems and cameos until twentieth century art.

An exhibiting story that unfolds over the time of nine centuries maintaining as its constant theme the figure of the beautiful and young girl whose name encloses the origin of the continent, Europe. From Filippino Lippi to Raffaello, Giorgione, Tiziano and Tintoretto onto Rubens, Coypel until the twentieth century with artists such as Klee, Picasso and Kiefer.
(Photo: "Venere cerca di tattenere Marte - Gli orrori della guerra" Pieter Paul Rubens 1637-38 ca, oil on canvas, cm. 206x342; Florence, Galleria Palatina)

Il Mito d'Europa, da fanciulla rapita a continente
Where: Galleria degli Uffizi - Florence
When: 11 June 2002 to 6 January 2003
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 0815-1850. Closed Mondays
Tickets: 8.50 euro
Info and booking: Firenze Musei tel. 055-2654321 from 0830 to 1330
Cataloguer: published by Giunti edited by Cristina Acidini Luchinat

July.2002

Uffizi Gallery
Municipality of Florence 
APT Florence (In Italian)