The Abduction of Proserpina
1614 Musée des Beaux-Arts de la ville de Paris
About this artwork
This oil sketch on panel depicts the mythological scene of Pluto abducting Proserpina. It is characterized by the artist's dynamic brushwork and dramatic use of light, typical of his preparatory works.
Did you know?
This work served as a preparatory oil sketch for a larger commission, demonstrating Rubens's mastery in capturing high-stakes movement and intense emotional turmoil in a compact format. The subject draws directly from Ovid's Metamorphoses, a common source of inspiration for Baroque painters exploring the theme of divine intervention.
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The Abduction of Proserpina
Peter Paul Rubens, 1614
