According to Greek mythology, Leda was a beautiful woman married to King Tyndareus of Sparta. Her beauty attracted the attention of Zeus and roused him to action - he transformed himself into a magnificent swan. Portraying himself as a bird escaping a larger, fiercer bird of prey, Zeus lay down next to Leda and impregnated her.

On that same day, Leda also slept with her husband.

Leda subsequently produced two eggs from which four offspring were born: Castor, Pollux, Clytemnestra, and Helen, the latter who became the famed Helen of Troy.

The basic imagery of the myth has tantalized artists for centuries from Leonardo to Twombly, usually depicting the swan wrapping itself around Leda in some form connoting the seduction. I chose to further the tale in a manner that asks the viewer to imagine what happens next in the tale: does she kill the swan? Does her beauty continue knock Zeus for a loop? Is her hand offering kindness, gratitude, fury or vengeance? I leave it to the viewer to imagine the possibilities.

As additional reference, I encourage anyone interested in this myth to read Yeats’ poem.