AFTER FRANCOIS GIRARDON, (FRENCH 1628-1715), A PATINATED BRONZE GROUP, 'THE RAPE OF PROSERPINA'

AFTER FRANCOIS GIRARDON, (FRENCH 1628-1715), A PATINATED BRONZE GROUP, 'THE RAPE OF PROSERPINA', mid 19th century, with Pluto portrayed as 'heroically nude', carrying the partially draped Proserpina aloft as he steps over one of her companions; the integrally cast rectangular base atop a gilt bronze openwork scrolling foliate and rocaille cast base, 66cm high, 30.5cm wide Note: Girardon completed his marble group of the 'Rape of Proserpine' for the gardens at Versailles in 1699, having very clearly been strongly influenced by Bernini's version of 1621, in Rome. From the late seventeenth century onwards, and in particular throughout the eighteenth century, it was reproduced as a small bronze. The group represents a passage from Book V of Ovid's Metamorphoses in which Pluto, having risen from his underground realm to inspect the damage caused by an earthquake in Sicily, is struck by Cupid's dart and compelled to carry the nymph Proserpina (Persephone) back to the underworld. The third figure is probably Cyane, another nymph who attempted to resist Pluto; she found herself transformed into a river, dissolved by her own tears