Jupiter and Antiope

Nothing is known about the Dutch artist who signed himself A M, but his work shows the influence of Italian traditions, not least of all in the figures. This work has recently been cleaned and the frame restored, allowing its display for the first time in many years.

Recently it has been discovered that it the central figures are taken from a larger composition of Jupiter and Antiope by Tiziano Vercellio, known as Titian. Jupiter disguised himself as a satyr, and seduced Antiope, daughter of the King of Thebes, as she slept. Afterwards she gave birth to twin sons, Amphion and Zethus, who their father promptly exposed on Mount Cithaeron, where they were rescued by a shepherd. Amphion grew up to become a magical player of the lyre, an instrument given to him by Hermes. Antiope was punished for her inadvertent fall from grace, but when grown, her sons returned to avenge their mother.

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