Mythological Scene with the Rape of Proserpine

At the right Pluto, god of the underworld, is carrying off Proserpine, daughter of Ceres. The three-headed dog Cerberus guards the entrance to Hades and the boat of Charon waits to take souls across the River Styx. In the background the giants who challenged the gods of Olympus suffer their eternal tortures.

This painting is one of a group of 10 'modelli' or elaborated oil studies made in preparation for the fresco projects that Giordano created for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi in Florence. On the ceiling of the Galleria, this scene adjoins the 'Mythological Scene of Agriculture'.

Other paintings in this group: Modelli for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence

Mythological Scene of Agriculture from Modelli for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence

Luca Giordano

early 1680s

Allegory of Divine Wisdom from Modelli for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence

Luca Giordano

early 1680s

Allegory of Fortitude from Modelli for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence

Luca Giordano

early 1680s

Allegory of Justice from Modelli for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence

Luca Giordano

early 1680s

Allegory of Prudence from Modelli for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence

Luca Giordano

early 1680s

Allegory of Temperance from Modelli for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence

Luca Giordano

early 1680s

Apotheosis of the Medici from Modelli for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence

Luca Giordano

early 1680s

The Cave of Eternity from Modelli for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence

Luca Giordano

early 1680s

Minerva as Protectress of the Arts and Sciences from Modelli for the Palazzo Medici Riccardi, Florence

Luca Giordano

early 1680s