This gallery is a look at the Greek god Zeus and his Roman counterpart Jupiter. Zeus (Jupiter) was considered to be the King of the Gods and the ruler of Olympus, as such, he has been portrayed over many different mediums through the centuries. Here is a look at Zeus through paintings and sculptures.
Enthroned Zeus, about 100 B.C., From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
One of the great Seven Wonders of the world, Enthroned Zeus, was created in roughly 430 B.C., Greek sculptor Pheidias. The actual statue stands forty-foot tall, crafted from gold and ivory. Pheidias choice to craft Zeus out of gold and ivory added emphasis on color, which through unity, gives the god a more regal look.
The Nurture of Jupiter, Poussin, Nicolas, Mid-1630s, From the collection of: Dulwich Picture Gallery
The Nurture of Jupiter was inspired by the story of Jupiter's upbringing. Painted by French artist Nicolas Poussin in the 1630's,the completed piece was 1210 x 965 centimeters. Poussin uses the combination of color and focus to express his work. His use of color draws attention to the characters, while focusing towards the infant drinking from the goat.
Head of Jupiter, unknown, 0 AD - 100 AD, From the collection of: Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien
Created by Greek bronze casters during the 5th century, the Head of Jupiter, was crafted as part of a larger piece. This piece was crafted using a system of casting called the lost-wax process. The sculptor made use of the space given by using Jupiter's hair as a background while using line to add depth to the work.
Jupiter Enthroned, Heinrich Friedrich Füger, turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, From the collection of: Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest
This version of Jupiter Enthroned is a painting done by Heinrich Friedrich Fuger. Originally 103 x 79 centimeters, Fuger created Jupiter Enthroned using oil paints on canvas. The key elements and design principles used were value and proportion. Use of proportion between the Jupiter's hands and feet add distance allowing him to appear in a leaning relax pose. Value is used to add depth, while focusing the viewers to Jupiter's unshaded face.
The Amazement of the Gods (?), Hans von Aachen, probably 1590s, From the collection of: The National Gallery, London
Created in the 1590's, The Amazement of the Gods, depicts Jupiter leaving Venus to be with Minerva, amazing the surrounding gods. Painted by Hans von Aachen in Prague, this piece uses the formal element, space, and design principle focus to draw his audience into an three-dimensional world. Layering the gods adds to the illusion giving the appearance of Jupiter pulling towards Minerva.
The Fall of the Titans, Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem, 1588-1590, From the collection of: SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst
The Fall of the Titans is a oil painting created by Cornelis Cornelisz in 1588. Inspired by the Roman poet Ovid's tale of Jupiter waging war on the titans, banishing them to Tartaros. Through the use of space Cornelisz establishes three dimensions, while using color to add depth, becoming more vivid the closer the eye wanders to the edge.
Zeus battling the Giants, Attributed to the Underworld Painter, -350, From the collection of: Altes Museum, Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Zeus Battling the Giants was crafted in 350 B.C. on vase. Zeus is painted riding a chariot carried by pegasus, as a center focus. The artist used the formal element space and the design principle proportion giving the image a background that wraps around the vase.
Europa’s abduction by Jupiter, Attributable to Johann Wilhelm Baur, 1639/1641, From the collection of: Dionísio Pinheiro And Alice Cardoso Pinheiro Foundation
Europa's abduction by Jupiter was painted in 1636 by Johann Wilhelm Baur. The artwork tells the story of Jupiter turning into a white bull in order to gain Europa's trust, upon which he kidnaps her.Baur translates the story into the piece using the formal element and principles value and color to portray the tragedy, giving it a darker tone.
Jupiter and Mercury in the House of Philemon and Baucis, Jacob Jordaens, circa 1645, From the collection of: North Carolina Museum of Art
Jupiter and Mercury in the House of Philemon and Baucis was painted by Jacob Jordaens in 1645. The painting tells the story of Jupiter and Mercury entering the home of Philemon and Baucis under the rouse of being peasants. Jordaens adds dimensions to the cottage by paining lines the broaden as they draw closer to the edge of the painting. He express the warm interior of the cottage by using color, giving valule to the flames of the candles.
Jupiter and Asteria, Marco Liberi, 1690–1700 ?, From the collection of: Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest
Jupiter and Asteria is a painted created by Marco Liberi in 1690. The piece is a portrayal of Asteria trying to repel Jupiter's, whom is depicted as a eagle, advances. Marco Liberi used color and value to to give Asteria a purer tone, while using darker tones on the more aggressive Jupiter.
Credits: All media
This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
