Saturday Art: The Abduction/Rape of Proserpina 1621-1622.

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The Abduction of Proserpina - Gian Lorenzo Bernini (Italian, 1598-1680).  Carrara marble 225 cm (89 in) Galleria Borghese, Rome, Italy.

This is a representation of the myth of Pluto, God of the Underworld, kidnapping Proserpina and dragging her to his world. Bernini, with marble, catches the actual moment of the abduction, the movement and struggle. She is twisting, writhing and screaming. There are tears on her face. You can see his fingers pressing into her flesh. Its an unpleasant story but a brilliant rendition. Bernini was only 23 years old when he completed this work.

One is used to seeing display of intense emotion in paintings, but this must be the first time it is seen in a sculpture. Bernini's style is dynamic and flamboyant and is emotionally charged. The display of passion and emotion in a sculpture was groundbreaking and required technical brilliance of a high order. There is a sense of drama which was hitherto not seen earlier. For example Michelangelo's David is serene, stable and emotionally contained.

It was also for the first time that sculptures demanded viewing from all angles and needed to be kept in open spaces for their full appreciation in all its dynamic motion and action. For example, the view of the picture above does not show the devilish three headed dog barking below, but a different view from the side shows it. See below.

Also evident is the copious detailing that bring his sculpture to life. You may notice Pluto's fingers sink into her waist that is astounding in its realism. Also seen in the picture below are his fingers dig into her thighs which again show intense passion.

Different view of sculpture


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