The Rape of Proserpine Rembrandt Harmenszoon Van Rijn (1606-1669)

The painting, The Rape of Proserpine, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, depicts the dramatic moment when Pluto, the god of the underworld, abducts Proserpine, daughter of Ceres, goddess of agriculture.

What I see:In the center of the composition, Pluto, with his muscular build and stern expression, forcefully carries Proserpine in his arms. His body is contorted as he pulls her downwards into his chariot. Proserpine struggles against his grip, her body arched backward, her hand pushed against his face in a desperate attempt to resist. Her flowing white and gold dress is disheveled, and her delicate features convey distress and terror.

Their chariot is pulled by fierce, monstrous-looking horses, their bodies a mix of horse and lion, with the roaring head of a lion strikingly placed on the chariots front. The entire scene is set against a dark, dramatic background, with a patch of bright blue sky visible in the upper left, contrasting with the deep shadows of rocks and foliage on the right. To the left, smaller figures are visible, one appearing to be an elderly woman, perhaps a witness or a servant, and another possibly a satyr or a cherub, adding to the chaos and mythological context of the scene. The overall impression is one of dynamic movement, violence, and raw emotion, rendered with masterful anatomical detail and dramatic lighting.

Subtexts:The painting is rich with subtexts, both mythological and artistic:

• The Power of the Underworld and Desire: The act of rape here, rooted in the myth, symbolizes the irresistible force with which Pluto claims Proserpine, representing the power of the underworld and the unavoidable nature of death and the underworlds dominion. It also speaks to the overwhelming nature of Plutos desire for Proserpine.
• Innocence vs. Carnal Desire: Proserpine, depicted as fair and youthful, embodies innocence, beauty, and perhaps the world of the living and fertility (given her mother Ceres). Pluto, dark and powerful, represents the primal, carnal desire that seeks to possess and subjugate.
• The Cycle of Nature and Seasons: In the broader myth, Proserpines abduction and subsequent return to the surface is what leads to the changing of the seasons – her time in the underworld corresponds to winter, and her return to her mother to spring and summer. While this painting captures the act of abduction, it alludes to this larger cosmic cycle.
• Artistic Virtuosity and Drama: For Bernini, this sculpture was a tour de force. The subtext here is the artists mastery in capturing a fleeting moment of intense emotion and physical struggle in marble. The way the marble seems to yield and transform – Proserpines soft flesh contrasting with Plutos rough grip, the fluidity of the drapery, the ferocity of the beasts – demonstrates Berninis skill in making stone come alive with dramatic narrative.
• Human Emotion and Struggle: Beyond the myth, the painting explores universal themes of struggle, violation, fear, and the desperate fight for freedom against an overwhelming force. The contorted bodies and agonized expressions speak to the raw experience of being overpowered.
• The God/Mortal Divide: The immense power difference between Pluto and Proserpine is evident, highlighting themes of divinity, control, and the vulnerability of mortals.