Rape of Proserpine. Detail of the face
"The Rape of Proserpine" is one of Gian Lorenzo Bernini's most famous sculptural works. This extraordinary white marble sculpture was created between 1621 and 1622 and is currently on display at the Galleria Borghese in Rome. The sculpture depicts an episode from Roman mythology in which the god Pluto, the lord of the realm of the dead, abducts Proserpine, the daughter of Ceres, the goddess of earth and agriculture. The sculpture captures the moment when Pluto grabs Proserpine to take her to the underworld. The work is extraordinary for its drama and realism. Proserpine appears to be literally suspended in the air, her clothes seeming to turn into marble as Pluto grabs her body. Bernini's ability to render human flesh, fabrics and emotional expressions with such precision and realism is a distinctive characteristic of his artistic style. 'The Rape of Proserpine' is considered one of the masterpieces of the Baroque period and one of the most iconic sculptures in Western art. The sculpture is an extraordinary work that represents Bernini's talent for capturing movement and emotion through marble, and continues to be one of the main attractions in the collection of the Galleria Borghese in Rome.
