Leda, from a suite of ornament designs with grotesques and deities

Engraving, part of a series of six oval plates with ornament designs with grotesque motifs and divinities, designed by Étienne Delaune before 1559. This print represents Leda, in her union with Jupiter transformed into a swan, reclined on a canopy framed by an arch formed by two scrolling branches of laurel leaves. At her feet are Castor and Pollux emerge from two eggs; two additional eggs, possibly containing Helena and Clytemnestra, are under her arm. The simultaneous representation of the carnal union between Leda and Jupiter, and the birth of the fruit of their love, provides a rather naive, humorous and picturesque character to this print. The theme of love is reinforced by various motifs that frame the scene: a winged head of Cupid on the summit, between the laurel leaves; two doves, attributes of Venus and symbols of loving caresses; two femal figures with flaming torches; and two dogs directly under Leda. The presence of two serpents and two vases with scrolls of smoke in the print is more enigmatic.