Tintoretto, Jacopo Robusti – El rapto de Helena Part 1 Prado museum

Description of Tintoretto’s painting "The Abduction of Helena

Jacopo Tintoretto’s painting The Abduction of Helena illustrates the ancient Greek myth of the abduction of the beautiful Helen. Tintoretto was creating during the late Renaissance, so the myths of Ancient times were incredibly popular and in demand. However, the master decided to bring those momentous events from many centuries ago into his real world. Therefore, in this painting we see Elena’s abduction not in ancient times, but in the 16th century.

The protagonist of the painting, of course, is Helen. She was considered the most beautiful woman, not only in Greece, but all over the world. Some called her a goddess, referring to the myth, which states that she is the daughter of Zeus himself. The girl is depicted in the lower left corner of the work. Her body seems to disobey her, so the warriors barbarically took her in their arms and forcefully drag her aboard the boat. There is pain, loss and helplessness in the girl’s eyes. She is taken away from her beloved husband Menelaus and daughter Hermione. It seems as if Helena has been stolen straight from the king’s chambers - she is wearing rich, gold jewelry, her hair neatly braided. But the wife of the King of Sparta could not be treated so cruelly: the red cloak was badly wrinkled, and the snow-white dress fell off her shoulders, exposing her breasts.

The culprit of this inhuman abduction is Paris, who has been won over by Helena’s beauty. He is depicted by the artist in bright blue and orange clothing. The man is holding a white ribbon. One gets the impression that it is with this ribbon that the woman will be tied.

Alternative title of the painting is "Christian battle with the Turks". From the title it becomes clear why many of the men in the painting are dressed in Arabic clothing, with long dresses and turbans on their heads.

The foreground is painted in great detail, dominated by bright colors. The background is more like a light, fuzzy pattern - all the objects merge, showing the insignificance of what is happening outside the boat.