Lot Essay
Marcus de Vos, recorded as working in Brussels from 1655-1700
From a series of Brussels tapestries depicting the History of Cérès, the present lot depicts Proserpine, daughter of Cérès, plucking a pomegranate from a tree. According to the myth, Proserpine was abducted by Pluto, god of the underworld. Cérès searched everywhere for her daughter and caused the earth to remain barren until Proserpine was returned to her. Pluto finally allowed Proserpine to return to earth for four months of the year, during which time the earth blossomed again (see J. Hall, Dictionary of Subjects and Symbols in Art, New York, 1974, pp. 62-3).
A tapestry from this series depicting the reunion of Cérès and Proserpine, and woven with the weavers mark of Jan Franz van den Hecke, was sold Sotheby's Monaco, 24-25 June 1984, lot 3244.
A set of eight tapestries from this series were sold from the collection of the Duc de Talleyrand-Périgord at Drouot, 10 June 1896. Most of the tapestries from this set were signed by Marcus de Vos.
From a series of Brussels tapestries depicting the History of Cérès, the present lot depicts Proserpine, daughter of Cérès, plucking a pomegranate from a tree. According to the myth, Proserpine was abducted by Pluto, god of the underworld. Cérès searched everywhere for her daughter and caused the earth to remain barren until Proserpine was returned to her. Pluto finally allowed Proserpine to return to earth for four months of the year, during which time the earth blossomed again (see J. Hall, Dictionary of Subjects and Symbols in Art, New York, 1974, pp. 62-3).
A tapestry from this series depicting the reunion of Cérès and Proserpine, and woven with the weavers mark of Jan Franz van den Hecke, was sold Sotheby's Monaco, 24-25 June 1984, lot 3244.
A set of eight tapestries from this series were sold from the collection of the Duc de Talleyrand-Périgord at Drouot, 10 June 1896. Most of the tapestries from this set were signed by Marcus de Vos.