OIL PAINTING: Danae, 1636
Danae is a painting by Rembrandt from the collection of Pierre Crozat, which has been in the Hermitage in St. Petersburg since the 18th century. This is the life-size Danae from Greek mythology, mother of Perseus. She is supposedly portrayed as welcoming Zeus, who infiltrated her in the form of a golden shower. Given that this is one of Rembrandt's most magnificent paintings, it is possible that he cherished it, but it may have been difficult to sell due to its eight to ten feet size. Although the artist's wife Saskia was the original model for Danae, Rembrandt later changed the figure's face to that of his mistress Geertji Dirk.