Danae

Danae was commissioned around 1531 by the Duke of Mantua, Federico Il Gonzaga, as part of a series on the mythical loves of Jupiter. The painting depicts Danae, the daughter of Acrisius, the king of Argos. According to the legend, Acrisius, after hearing from an oracle that Danae’s son would kill him, had his daughter locked in a tower. Jupiter, in the form of a golden rain, came down to seduce Danae. She soon bore a son, Perseus, who eventually killed Acrisius. Correggio depicts Jupiter in the form of a golden cloud, floating above the head of Danae, who is being undressed by Eros.