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17th century Oil on canvas depicting the Rape of Proserpine

About the Item

Sienese school of the 17th century The rat of Proserpina Oil on canvas, 188 x 123 cm Depicted at the climax of the action, at the height of drama, is the scene of the Rape of Proserpine ( for the Greeks Persephone) daughter of Ceres. The protagonist of the story is Proserpine, the Roman version of the Greek Persephone, daughter of the agricultural goddess Ceres (Demeter in Greek). These two mythological figures since the beginning of time have been closely linked to the cult of the earth, agriculture and the changing seasons, and, known as the protagonists of the "Eleusinian Mysteries," are also celebrated as "the divine couple." One day, while Proserpina was intent on picking flowers on the shores of Lake Pergusa, near present-day Enna, the underworld god Pluto, known to the Greeks as Hades, became so enamored with her that he decided to kidnap the maiden and take her with him to the realm of the dead. Proserpina's heartbreaking cry for help reached the ears of her mother, who, in despair over the fate of her daughter, wandered nine days and nights, searching for Proserpina throughout Greece and holding two lit torches in her hands. At last Ceres learned from Helios how her Proserpine had been forcibly dragged by Pluto to the afterlife, so, enraged and in grief, she threatened to stop attending to her divine functions until her daughter returned to Earth. She took refuge, therefore, in Eleusis, where she was received with great warmth and hospitality. Meanwhile, however, everything on Earth was beginning to die, and famines began to rage among desperate humans. It was for this reason that Jupiter, concerned about the fate of men, ordered Pluto to let his young bride go free, allowing her to be reunited with her mother. The god of the Underworld agreed, but, reluctant to give up his bride, he cunningly fed Proserpina some pomegranate grains, binding her permanently and forever to the realm of the dead. Ceres and Pluto thus had to give in to a compromise: the young girl would live six months on Earth with her mother and the remaining six months in the Underworld with Hades. During the time spent with Hades, from early autumn (planting time) until the end of winter, cold would reign on Earth and the fields would not bear fruit. At the blossoming of spring, however, Proserpine would be free to return home and Ceres, happy to have her daughter back with her, would give new life, the earth would be fertile and she would feed all men with her crops. The climax of the action, the moment of abduction, is depicted in the present painting. Pluto, proud and unfeeling, mighty and muscular tries to drag Proserpine into the underworld by force. The God's muscles are tensed in an effort to support the body of the maiden who, though petite, tries to escape and wriggle out of Pluto's tight grip. Behind the god is a glimpse of his horse-drawn chariot from whose mouth flames gush forth, flames that are also found at the feet of the group indicating the inevitable fate of the young woman. The mythological subject was highly prized by artists who created several versions of it over the centuries, of course the most famous being Bernini's The Rape of Proserpine, contained today in the Borghese Gallery.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 74.02 in (188 cm)Width: 48.43 in (123 cm)Depth: 1.97 in (5 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Canvas
  • Period:
    17th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    17th Century
  • Condition:
    Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Milan, IT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU5918237120882

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