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Proserpine

Image credit: Tate

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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. As she passes, a gleam strikes on the wall behind her form some inlet suddenly opened, and admitting for a moment the light of the upper world; and she glances furtively towards it, immersed in thought'. (W. Sharp, 'Dante Gabriel Rossetti: A Record and Study', London 1882, p.236)

Tate Britain

London

Title

Proserpine

Date

1874

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 125.1 x W 61 cm

Accession number

N05064

Acquisition method

Presented by W. Graham Robertson 1940

Work type

Painting

Inscription description

date inscribed

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Tate Britain

Millbank, London, Greater London SW1P 4RG England

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