'Proserpine', Dante Gabriel Rossetti

Artwork details

Artist

Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828‑1882)

Title

Proserpine

Date 1874

MediumOil paint on canvas

Dimensionssupport: 1251 x 610 mm frame: 1605 x 930 x 85 mm

Collection

Tate

Acquisition Presented by W. Graham Robertson 1940

Reference

N05064

Not on display

Summary

Rossetti explained the subject of Proserpine in a letter to W.A. Turner, who bought a version of the picture in 1877:

The figure represents Proserpine as Empress of Hades. After she was conveyed by Pluto to his realm, and became his bride, her mother Ceres importuned Jupiter for her return to earth, and he was prevailed on to consent to this, provided only she had not partaken of any of the fruits of Hades. It was found, however, that she had eaten one grain of a pomegranate, and this enchained her to her new empire and destiny. She is represented in a gloomy corridor of her palace, with the fatal fruit in her hand… (read more)