Love: How the Gods Could be Human

The relationship between male gods and their love interests finds a home in Renaissance and Baroque paintings. Demonstrating humanist artistic style, the paintings chosen for the exhibit represent strong themes of power imbalance and sexuality. Interestingly, in the case of Jupiter and Apollo, their stories revolve around almost entirely abducting their partner. Jupiter’s are more erotic in nature, nudity and sex set a heavy tone for the section. Most show Jupiter abducting his lover, with the knowledge that he eventually assaults them. Apollo veers  slightly, emphasizing more the tragedy of his and Daphne’s story. Like Jupiter, Apollo’s interaction with Daphne emphasizes his attempt to capture and force himself upon her. Their lovers do not demonstrate any fear or emotion, while the god does, redirecting attention to the god. However, these paintings are done in a similar vein to Venus, searching out answers to what makes us human through intense emotional connections. The group also reflects humanist techniques, emphasizing nature and the human form. Unlike Venus, the narrative of the paintings does not deviate from ancient myth at all, rather the later works enhance the drama of the myth attributed to the Baroque period.