Ancient myth (NSFW)

[Jona Lendering]

On a website, I stumbled across the Renaissance or Baroque etching below. It is obviously a scene from classical myth. But which one? To the best of my knowledge, Zeus has never assumed the shape of a donkey to, well, meet a girl. Nor is it one of the infamous sex scenes from Apuleius' Golden Ass, because Lucius does not change into a donkey with wings. So, what do we have over here?

[Robert Vermaat]

Might the female body armour offer a clue perhaps?

There is also a tale that Muhammad flew to haven not on a winged horse but on a winged donkey (Buraq). Therefore this may perhaps be an anti-Islamic cartoon.

[Rumo]

A first impression is one of conflating images and myths.

The investigation should start by finding out who's the painter and what's the name of this work (if it has any).

[Jona Lendering]

Someone with reasons to remain anonymous sent me the solution. The engraving is from the 1761 edition of The Maid of Orleans - a satire on Joan of Arc published in France. You can read more about it here.

"The most obscene material that marks the conclusion of the 1761 Maid of Orleans - the consummation of desire between Joan and her winged donkey - is missing entirely from the 1762 edition."

Thanks!!

[Robert Vermaat]

a satire on Joan of Arc

I knew it, that armour meant something. The donkey got me sidetracked. :wink:

[PMBardunias]

I thought it was Bellerophon's wife...