Photo: © Simon Veres

​

Julia Belova created the chandelier specifically for the Belvedere 21 exhibition, drawing inspiration from historical symbolism and reinterpreting it through a contemporary lens. Influenced by Johann Nepomuk Schaller’s sculpture "Young Cupid" (1815-1816), the artist crafted a scaled-down version of its wings, transforming them into swan wings for the chandelier. The work addresses the myth of Zeus and Leda, using sexualized forms to critique the romanticization of violence against women and forced pregnancy, themes traditionally controlled by male narratives. The "Chandelier with Purple Swans" merges Leda and the swan into one entity, subverting power dynamics, while its Baroque-inspired form and candles evoke both life and self-destruction.

​

Since 2024, the sculpture is part of the Art Collection of the City of Vienna