14 Your Comments2007 2nd half

Many sources and writers describing the Europa myth lived and worked in the Hellenistic period (from the 4th c. BC to the deadth of Cleopatra) in its cultural centre, Alexandria, with its Museion of 700;000 rolls and books. The modern Museion was opened in the year 2000 and rises as the sun in the east out of the sea. In front of this Library stands a huge statue of Europa and the bull in white marble by the Egyptian sculptor Fathi Mahmoud. Europa and the bull 3,5 by 4 metres stand in front of four marble pinnacles pointing to heaven (10 to 20 meters high), indicating divine protection of Europa by Zeus.

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Europa with her, according to the Hellenists,  Asian background stands for the close relation between East and West;

In the photo the statue is barely visible in the middle of the crossroad on the seaboulevard.

Alexandria, 1 july 2007                                                   A library visitor

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In Germany the Europa myth appeared in the form of a 500 wooden pieces puzzle (40 - 40 cm). Piecing Europe and its myth together is a puzzle; both in real life and in a 'figurative' sense. But those who persevere will succeed. This "Statue der Europa" shows up in http://www.art-puzzles.com and is commercialized by ART-PUZZLE gmbh.

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This porcelain statuette, 18/19th century, was produced by Edme Samson & Cie, Paris. Actually, it is an imitation of an 18th century porcelain statuette from Meissen, height 22 cm. Only the colouring is somewhat different.

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Geschenke am Rathaus, Hansen gmbh. Karlsruherstr. 36

79108 Freiburg. tel. 0049/ (0)761 1376620                                                                              Kuckling@puzzle-online.de  

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Thi!s huge bronze of Europe and Bull/Zeus, 1.90 -1.35 m is from an UNKNOWN artist. Given the size it was probably intended for a public space. At the moment it is in private possession. One would guess it to be from the first half of the last century.

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Europe roped to the Bull could point to a political Europe imprisoned in a futureless situation. Would anybody know the maker of this impressive statue? But it could also represent lady Lygia tied to the bull in Nero's arena, in Quo Vadis from Sienkiewicz and in the older movies of the book.

Antwerp, 2 september, 2007           from an interested party  

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The annual art and antique fair of Amsterdam featured some years ago in 2002 a beautiful embossed silvern relief plaquette from the first half of the 17th Century. The artist, Hans Liuwens, is one of the best known silver-smith of Amsterdam in its golden era.The plate or plaquette, 22 cm, was showed by the generations old Amsterdam antiquedealers Joseph M. Morpurgo.

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Europasits on the lying bull, assisted by her friends. Hans Liuwens is mentioned in Dutch Silver from W.J.Frederiks, photographer A.Weiler, The Hague, 1952.

October 2, 2007                             a visitor.    

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An interesting stone sculpture can be found on the small German North Sea island Sylt at the Westländer Promenade, almost on the border of Denmark. The sculptor, Ludwig Manzel (1858-1936) was a well-known artist of his time. He was Professor at the Berlin Artacademy, and intimate with emperor William II. A larger than life statue of king/emperor William I from his hand stays in the Grunerwald Turm in Berlin.

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The sculpture is about 1;80 meters high and long, and dates from 1914. Rather exceptional is the interpretation of the Bull's appearance. His behind ends in a fishtail. This interpretation could go back to the Europa poem of Nonnos of the 5th c. AD. He suggests that the bull in the sea looks like a fish.

November 4, 2007                                      Tourist Office Hörnum

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The oldest german satirical magazine, 1848-1944, Kladderadatsch, featured many cartoons. Its january number 4 of 1935 comments Mussolini Africa policy. The cartoon titled  "At the Roman market". Mussolini gives priority to his Africa policy (Ethiopia- Abessinia) at the cost of its 'Europe' policy and its relation with France. The commentary reads: "Mussolini sacificed an essential part of its European policy to the French in exchange of its African interests."

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A naked Europe with the French bonnet riding her bull greets Mussolini on an Afican Ox, while they pass each other in opposite directions. The cartoonist is Arthur Johnson

Antwerp, 3 dec. 2007                                            An observer