Jupiter and Antiope

Antiope, the daughter of the King of Thebes, was seduced by Zeus in the form of a satyr. As a result she gave birth to the twins Amphion and Zethos, who later carried out numerous heroic acts recorded in Theban history. Of all Zeus‘ liaisons the relationship with Antiope was portrayed particularly often by the Rudolfine artists. Perhaps the imperial contractor was particularly attracted by the transformation of the most important of all gods into a faun perhaps this image fulfilled his specific erotic requirements best.