Leda and the Swan

myminifactory

This sculpture, crafted by Danish master Kai Nielsen between 1882 and 1924, brings to life the ancient tale of Leda and the Swan. In the infamous story from Greek lore, Zeus transforms into a majestic swan to seduce the mortal Leda. As recounted in later Greek mythology, Leda's union with the avian god results in the birth of two legendary offspring: Helen and Polydeuces. The subject's 16th-century surge in popularity can be attributed to its intriguing paradox - that it was deemed more acceptable to portray a woman engaging in intimacy with a swan than with a man.