DÜRER, Albrecht
(b. 1471, Nürnberg, d. 1528, Nürnberg)

Rape of Proserpina

1516
Etching, 393 x 230 mm
Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen

This etching shows Pluto, powerful god of the underworld, abducting Proserpina, daughter of Ceres (Greek Demeter), the goddess of harvest and fertility. By interceding with Jupiter, her mother obtains permission for her daughter to return to earth for half the year and then spend the other half in Hades.




© Web Gallery of Art, created by Emil Krén and Daniel Marx.