A French tapestry depicts Persephone's abduction. On the left is Hades, the Underworld's king, driving his chariot and holding a trident in his right hand. He looks toward Persephone as he prepares to seize her. Persephone and her friends are picking flowers and creating wreaths around the goddess Demeter's marble statue. The statue is set on a cylindrical base with the inscription «Δήμητρι τῇ Πολυτρόφῳ», which means to Demeter, who gives us with a plentiful supply of food. The idyllic landscape of the representation is enriched by the two winged Erotes flying above Hades. One holds a bow, and the other has two torches.
Caption Tapestry of wool and silk with Hades ready to seize Oreithyia
Mythic people Hades (Deity) ,Persephone (Goddess)
Type Textile
Artist/Creator Joseph-Marie Vien (designer), Michel Audran (weaver), weaving mill Manufacture Royale des Gobelins, Paris
Origin Paris
Current position Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Index number BK-1963-66
Dating 1762 - 1764 AD
Notes
The Rape of Proserpina | Europeana
The Chess of Proserpine, Manufacture Royale des Gobelins, 1757 - Rijksmuseum
Related
Myths