THIS OBJECT WAS SOLD
Abduction Of Proserpine - Preparatory Study For A Monumental Composition - Early 20th Century
Étude préparatoire pour une composition monumentale - Enlèvement de Proserpine
École française
début XXe siècle
Oil on canvas, 52 × 43 cm
Gilt molded wood frame, 62 × 53 cm
Very good condition
The scene depicts the abduction of Proserpine by Pluto: in the center, the god of the Underworld draped in red grabs the young woman dressed in white, whom a figure on the left is trying to restrain, while a black horse rears up in front of the gilded chariot. In the foreground, an overturned basket of flowers recalls Proserpine's interrupted activity at the moment of her abduction.
Daughter of Ceres and Jupiter, Proserpine was abducted by Pluto while picking flowers in Sicily. Her inconsolable mother left the land sterilized until Jupiter forced Pluto to restore her - but Proserpine ate some pomegranate seeds in the Underworld, and was condemned to remain there for part of the year, thus giving birth to the cycle of the seasons.
The preparatory nature of the work is attested by the squaring of the tiles visible beneath the pictorial layer, a classic large-scale transfer process, which suggests a mural destination - fresco or ceiling decoration. A cartouche at the bottom of the composition, as well as the peripheral frieze, have been covered with an old uniform solid ground, probably when the work was reassembled or its use changed. On the back, a handwritten inscription bears the title Enlèvement de Proserpine, accompanied by a note in English (Please return...) followed by a partially illegible address and telephone number.
Unsigned. Canvas slightly distended at the edges; very few cracks, no lifting or snags. Modern gilded molded wood frame.
This work is offered in conjunction with its counterpart, an Abduction of Amphitrite of the same dimensions and framing, forming a pair probably intended for the same decorative program.
Work on view at the gallery (07240).
Shipping: please contact us for information on shipping costs in France and abroad.
École française
début XXe siècle
Oil on canvas, 52 × 43 cm
Gilt molded wood frame, 62 × 53 cm
Very good condition
The scene depicts the abduction of Proserpine by Pluto: in the center, the god of the Underworld draped in red grabs the young woman dressed in white, whom a figure on the left is trying to restrain, while a black horse rears up in front of the gilded chariot. In the foreground, an overturned basket of flowers recalls Proserpine's interrupted activity at the moment of her abduction.
Daughter of Ceres and Jupiter, Proserpine was abducted by Pluto while picking flowers in Sicily. Her inconsolable mother left the land sterilized until Jupiter forced Pluto to restore her - but Proserpine ate some pomegranate seeds in the Underworld, and was condemned to remain there for part of the year, thus giving birth to the cycle of the seasons.
The preparatory nature of the work is attested by the squaring of the tiles visible beneath the pictorial layer, a classic large-scale transfer process, which suggests a mural destination - fresco or ceiling decoration. A cartouche at the bottom of the composition, as well as the peripheral frieze, have been covered with an old uniform solid ground, probably when the work was reassembled or its use changed. On the back, a handwritten inscription bears the title Enlèvement de Proserpine, accompanied by a note in English (Please return...) followed by a partially illegible address and telephone number.
Unsigned. Canvas slightly distended at the edges; very few cracks, no lifting or snags. Modern gilded molded wood frame.
This work is offered in conjunction with its counterpart, an Abduction of Amphitrite of the same dimensions and framing, forming a pair probably intended for the same decorative program.
Work on view at the gallery (07240).
Shipping: please contact us for information on shipping costs in France and abroad.
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