Hades; Persephone in the Underworld (Offering to Proserpine)
ca. 1820
Classification
figures
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors
Accession Number
1901-39-3345
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Felice Giani (1758–1823), a prominent Italian artist of the Neoclassical period, created *Hades; Persephone in the Underworld (Offering to Proserpine)* around 1820. Working in the late stages of his career, Giani was renowned for his elegant depictions of classical mythology, often inspired by ancient Roman frescoes and the grand decorative schemes of his era. This work, classified as "figures," likely portrays the mythic duo of Hades, god of the underworld, and Persephone (known as Proserpine in Roman lore), in a poignant moment of offering—evoking the timeless tale of her abduction and reluc...