D Nettema Dutch School Late 17th.Century Oil on Canvas. The Abduction of Europa. Signed and dated lower left centre 1697. 45.5 by 36.5 cms. Image. 61 by 52.5 cms framed overall. Provenance: Harrods Knightsbridge, Woolley & Wallis Salisbury March 2011 Lot 208.
Very little is known of the artist, Benezit lists only one work that of Pan chasing Syrinx dated 1697 perhaps a companion piece to this work as it bears the same date. The scene depicts the Greek myth of Europa and the bull, in the myth, Zeus fell in love with Europa and transformed himself into a beautiful white bull to win her over. When Europa climbed onto the bull's back, he carried her across the sea to Crete.