Roof van Proserpina 1668

Gerard de Lairesse created this print, Roof van Proserpina, sometime between 1641 and 1711. During the Dutch Golden Age, artists frequently turned to classical mythology, and in this work, Lairesse depicts the abduction of Proserpina by Pluto. What strikes me most is not simply the act of abduction, but the visual narrative of power and vulnerability. Pluto’s muscular form contrasts starkly with Proserpina’s limp body, highlighting a dynamic of dominance. The era in which Lairesse worked was marked by strict social hierarchies, and gender roles were clearly defined. How might this scene reflect or challenge those norms? The expressions are also compelling. Pluto’s face seems set with purpose, while Proserpina’s is blank, suggesting a loss of agency. As you consider this image, what does it evoke for you? Does it speak to the complexities of power, desire, and the loss of innocence?