Jupiter and Danae Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)

In this painting, entitled Jupiter and Danaë, a fleshy, nude woman, Danaë, reclines languidly on a bed, looking upward with a soft expression of wonder. A powerful, bearded man, presumably Jupiter, leans over her from the left, offering her a small golden object, likely a coin, which he holds in his outstretched hand. He is partially obscured by a rich red drapery. To the right, a cherubic figure, possibly Cupid, clings to the drapery, reaching down towards Danaë. The overall scene is rendered with a rich, painterly quality, emphasizing the textures of flesh, fabric, and gold.
The painting depicts a classic mythological episode. Danaë was a princess confined to a tower by her father Acrisius, who had been warned that her son would kill him. Jupiter, king of the gods, desired Danaë and, unable to penetrate the tower, visited her in the form of a shower of gold. This union resulted in the birth of the hero Perseus.
The subtext of the painting lies in the divine and mortal realms intertwining through seduction and impregnation. The golden rain symbolizes not only Jupiters wealth and power but also the divine seed. Danaës receptive posture and gaze suggest her acquiescence, or at least her enthrallment, to this celestial visitor. The presence of Cupid reinforces the theme of love and desire, albeit a divine and somewhat coercive form of it. The luxurious drapery and opulent depiction of Danaës form speak to themes of beauty, sensuality, and the earthly rewards of divine favor, while also hinting at the monumental consequences of this divine intrusion, namely the birth of a hero who will alter destinies.