7The Rape of Proserpina by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1621-1622)
Though technically from the Baroque period, Bernini’s The Rape of Proserpina owes much to Renaissance influences. This marble sculpture captures the dramatic moment when the god Pluto abducts Proserpina, the daughter of Ceres. Bernini’s work is characterized by its dynamic composition and remarkable realism. The way the fingers of Pluto dig into Proserpina’s soft flesh is a testament to Bernini’s technical prowess. This statue represents the transition from Renaissance to Baroque, where movement and emotion took center stage.
