Zeus (Greek) or Jupiter (Roman, also Germanized: "Jupiter") and his numerous love affairs have often been the subject of art. Semele, like many other lovers of Jupiter, was a victim of Junos (Greek: Hera) jealousy, for she disguised Semele as her nurse, begging Jupiter to see him in his true form. As if struck by lightning, Semele burned as the god reluctantly complied. The painting shows Jupiter himself, who is larger than life before the heavens enthroned and Semele's desire to see him in his true form, has already bowed. He carries - unusual for the father of the gods - a crown of vines and flowers, which could refer to Bacchus (Greek: Dionysus) as the common son of Jupiter and Semele. Mercurius (Greek: Hermes) snatches away the body of the body, which, in the light of the appearance of Jupiter, vanishes into semelines that vanish.

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Jupiter and Semele by Gustave Moreau. Available as an art print on canvas, photo paper, watercolor board, uncoated paper or Japanese paper.
roman god · death · lovers · parents of bacchus · male · female · nude · symbolist · eagle · tragic · doomed · zeus · cadmos · harmonie · Musee Gustave Moreau, Paris, France / Bridgeman Images