Painted after 1530 in the style of Michaelangelo, and possibly a copy of the master’s work, this painting shows the coupling of Queen Leda with Zeus disguised as a swan.
Leda was married to King Tyndareus, and was regarded as one of the era’s most beautiful women. Naturally therefore, Zeus sought her out to have his way with, and in the form of a swan seduced her, on the same day though Leda also slept with Tyndareus, and susbequently Leda would give birth to Castor and Pollux, Clytemnestra and Helen, with Helen and Pollox nominally the offspring of Zeus.