Giuseppe Cappé’s “rape Of Proserpina” In White Porcelain, 1963

Giuseppe Cappé’s “Rape of Proserpina” in White Porcelain, 1963 features a structure that rises vertically in a spiral motion (serpentine movement). At the center, a muscular male figure forcefully lifts a female figure who is struggling upward, while at the base, a third, succumbing figure accentuates the depth and drama of the scene. The purity of the white porcelain contrasts elegantly with the pure gold details decorating the drapery, creating an effect of extreme luminosity and luxury. It rests on a molded circular base, also finished in gold with small dot-like reliefs, typical of decorative plastic art from the 18th or 19th century. The work conveys a sense of theatrical energy. Despite the violence of the theme (the abduction), the porcelain execution transforms the drama into an object of pure aesthetic beauty, originally intended to adorn the tables or display cases of the aristocracy. The pose of the male figure and the twist of the woman’s body closely resemble Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s famous marble masterpiece, The Rape of Proserpina, of which this sculpture appears to be a scaled-down “chamber” reinterpretation. It is in good condition, despite the absence of two phalanges of the little finger on Proserpina’s right hand.