Titian’s The Rape of Europa is a painting that has long been the topic of scholarly interest; both the painting itself and the controversy surrounding its analysis. I contend that The Rape of Europa, though historically popular for scholarship, needs more analysis in regard to historical purpose and contemporary viewing. Many traditional, either erotic or aesthetic, analyses may be wrong. Instead, The Rape of Europa could have been a critic of the previous Poesie and their message. Its patronage, historical context, and its place in the Poesie will provide a background for its creation; and in depth visual analysis will be paired with contemporary and historical explanations for imagery and metaphor within the composition. An extensive account…show more content… Titian was well known to the court of Philip II in Spain; Titian had been patronized by Philip II’s father and then later Philip when he was a prince, in the form of portraits. This Poesie series started not in the form of a completed sequence to be commissioned, but in the form of separate, mythological based paintings of a similar theme; the first paintings in 1554 were Danae and Venus and Adonis. This series went on until 1559 when Titian announced the final two paintings would be Death of Acteon and The Rape of Europa. Europa though, was not completed until 1562. As the last piece of this mythological set, it undoubtedly holds some significance, especially because of the amount of time it took to create. In a letter to king Philip II Titian wrote “…I can say she [the Europa] may be the seal of the many other works that were ordered finished to you by me and that I have on many occasions sent to you. ” In this case, the Europa serves as a “seal” to the series; the “final statement” of the works and worked to “conclude a series, restate their overall themes.” This is the first sign that Europa could have served as a critique. The most powerful place for such a statement would be last, and it would prevent the artist from missing any commissions if his patron was offended. So, Titian’s “final