Semele Sees Jove Unmasked
Semele was one of the human lovers of
Jove, whose wife, Juno, in a rage of jealousy, plotted her demise. Until that
time Jove had only appeared to Semele in human form, as no one can look upon the
true form of a god and survive.
The disguised Juno cozied up to the naive Semele
and told her that if Jove really loved her, he would show her his true form.
Semele took the bait. Jove protested, but finally succumbed to his lover’s wish.
Semele, upon seeing his true form, instantly was burnt to a crisp, but not
before Jove plucked from her womb their unborn son. He put the babe in his thigh
until it was due, and it was from thence the great god of wine and merriment,
Bacchus, was born.
20" x 60"
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