Title
Apollo and Leucothoe, by Picart (1730, c.)
Creator
Picart, Bernard (1673-1733)
Date
1730, c.
Description
"Night scene in interior, with Apollo, in the guise of the old woman Eurynome, caressing Leucothoe's chin; in ornate frame, with heads of Diana and Apollo, printed from a separate plate" (Description from The British Museum, London, UK, https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1914-0214-233, Archived in: https://web.archive.org/web/20210507151538/https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1914-0214-233)
According to the myth of Leucothoe, Apollo falls in love with the young woman. He transforms himself into Leucothoe's mother (Eurynome) and enters her room to seduce her. After the encounter, Clytie, who was in love with Apollo, tells Leucothoe's father about the affair. He then buries the young woman and eventually Leucothoe turns into a sunflower.
The image is reminiscent of the scene of Areúsa and Celestina. Since in this case Apollo is portrayed as both an old woman and a man who seduces the young woman, it is a curious case of a suitor and Celestina in a single character.
According to the myth of Leucothoe, Apollo falls in love with the young woman. He transforms himself into Leucothoe's mother (Eurynome) and enters her room to seduce her. After the encounter, Clytie, who was in love with Apollo, tells Leucothoe's father about the affair. He then buries the young woman and eventually Leucothoe turns into a sunflower.
The image is reminiscent of the scene of Areúsa and Celestina. Since in this case Apollo is portrayed as both an old woman and a man who seduces the young woman, it is a curious case of a suitor and Celestina in a single character.
Source
The British Museum, London, UK
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1914-0214-233
Archived in:
https://web.archive.org/web/20210507151538/https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1914-0214-233
© The Trustees of The British Museum
Asset number: 562293001
Museum number: 1914,0214.233
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1914-0214-233
Archived in:
https://web.archive.org/web/20210507151538/https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1914-0214-233
© The Trustees of The British Museum
Asset number: 562293001
Museum number: 1914,0214.233
Format
Etching.
Dimensions: 25,8 × 17,8 cm
Dimensions: 25,8 × 17,8 cm
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