The Rape of Europa

An engraving traditionally described as being after a lost design by Raphael. First state; crediting Raphael as the inventor of the composition (RAFAEL VRBIN I VINTOR, lower right). Dated and signed on plate at lower right. It has been suggested that the engraving may derive from a drawing by the School of Raphael dating between 1516 and 1519 (see Massari in Raphael Invenit 1985, pp.249-50, no.VIII.2).