Louis Ferdinand ELLE (Paris 1648 - Rennes 1717) The Rape of Europa Canvas, rectangular, octagonal view Inscribed on the stretcher "Mme de Montespan peint par Mignard". (Old restorations) 72.5 x 89.5 cm Provenance : Anonymous sale, New York, Sotheby's, May 22, 1992, no. 68 (entourage of Pierre Mignard). Our painting is a second version of the painting in the Kurpfälzisches Museum, Heidelberg (canvas, 146 x 179 cm). The latter is similar to the Allegory of Religion by the Parliament of Rennes, executed by Elle from 1706.