The Abduction of Europa

The Abduction of Europa is oil on a panel by Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn from 1632.

• The gaze of the people, sense of motion, and contrastingly bright light draw the attention to two possible focal points: the lady on the animal and the two people on shore.
• Rembrandt used the paint to create intricate textures in the tree and on the surface of the water, especially where the animal's hooves touch the water.
• There is one light source shining from the left side, causing there to be varying degrees of values from extremely reflectively white to nearly pitch black.
• The red of the lady's dress contrasts with the green because they are complimentary colors and balances with the motion from the lady on the animal.