Abduction Of Innocence

8x12 inches; Pen drawing on handmade paper with watercolour wash (Click on image to enlarge)

This painting has been inspired by a story in Greek mythology about how Zeus, driven by his passionate lust, took the form of a mighty eagle to seduce and abduct a mortal youth named Ganymede who later became his personal cup bearer. Zeus was God of all Gods and thus the story elaborates his escapade! But what intrigues me is the story from Ganymede’s perspective. A young, handsome (understatement on my part because he must have been ‘drop dead gorgeous’ for Zeus to have gone crazy over him!), innocent youth losing his virginity and more to a God! Zeus had to disguise himself in order to get Ganymede’s intimate embrace. So, was Ganymede entirely innocent to begin with? Imagine being carried away by an eagle! How would that feel? Would it have been any different if Zeus had approached him without the aid of disguise? What must have gone through his body and mind during the entire episode. We can only speculate! But one thing is obvious; he liked what was happening because he became an eternal companion of the same God who ravished him. He did not turn himself into a tree or plunge to his death! Would it have been any different if Zeus was just another mere mortal old man? God knows… but everything seems to boil down to 'control'; who/what controls whom/what and who/what spins out of control! The moment one grasps the workings of 'control', precious innocence goes kaput!! I kind of like happy endings!