Latona changing the Lycian Peasants into Frogs
- Artist: Jacopo Tintoretto
- Date: (circa) 1545 - 1548
- Medium: oil on panel
- Museum: The Courtauld Gallery
- Collection record: The Courtauld Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the “Latona changing the Lycian Peasants into Frogs” by Jacopo Tintoretto. Painted around 1545‑1548, this oil on panel captures the dramatic moment from the Roman myth where the goddess, annoyed by the peasants’ disrespect, transforms them into frogs. Tintoretto’s dynamic composition pulls the viewer into the action—his figures lean forward, faces contorted, with the sky swirling above in a storm of color. The artist’s use of light is striking; a sudden burst of divine illumination illuminates the transformed frogs, contrasting sharply with the darker background. The panel’s tight, almost theatrical framing makes the narrative feel immediate, almost like a stage set. It’s a fine example of the Venetian painter’s late‑Mannerist energy, with bold brushwork and a vivid palette that seems to pulse. Overall, the work showcases Tintoretto’s skill at combining mythological storytelling with vigorous, almost cinematic movement.
See it in person
Latona changing the Lycian Peasants into Frogs hangs in The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House, London. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
