Tizian: Danae

 

Af Tiziano Vecellio (1488?-1576).

Sammenlign Gustav Klimts udgave af samme motiv.

Om motivet hedder det hos Apollodorus (i James George Frazers oversættelse):

When Acrisius inquired of the oracle how he should get male children, the god said that his daughter would give birth to a son who would kill him. Fearing that, Acrisius built a brazen chamber under ground and there guarded Danae.

However, she was seduced, as some say, by Proetus, whence arose the quarrel between them; but some say that Zeus had intercourse with her in the shape of a stream of gold which poured through the roof into Danae's lap.

Og det er naturligvis den sidste version, vi ser på billedet. Horats beskriver situationen således:

Full well had Danae been secured, in truth,
By oaken portals, and a brazen tower,
And savage watch-dogs, from the roving youth
That prowl at midnight's hour:

But Jove and Venus mock'd with gay disdain
The jealous warder of that close stronghold:
The way, they knew, must soon be smooth and plain
When gods could change to gold.

Gold, gold can pass the tyrant's sentinel,
Can shiver rocks with more resistless blow
Than is the thunder's. Argos' prophet fell,
He and his house laid low,

And all for gain. The man of Macedon
Cleft gates of cities, rival kings o'erthrew
By force of gifts: their cunning snares have won
Rude captains and their crew.

(Resten af digtet kan læses her).

[ agger, Wed 23 Aug, :10:49: /billeder] - kommentar(er) - link

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