The Death of Procris

Description

In the complicated tale of Procris and Cephalus, told by the poet Ovid (43 BC–AD 17), jealousy tragically thwarts their true love and fidelity. Fearing that Cephalus loves a nymph, Procris spies on her husband while he is hunting. When Cephalus hears Procris rustling in the woods, he mistakes her for game and throws his magical spear that never misses its mark. In this print, the chorus of expressive satyrs and nymphs mourning her death highlights the heartbreaking drama of this love story. Romano’s intricate composition also includes Aurora, the goddess of dawn, in her chariot, and distant buildings that refer to the couple’s home in Athens.

Provenance

Viti-Antaldi (16th-19th centuries)?, Urbino and Pesaro, script (Lugt 2246), lower left, in pen and brown ink [script very similar, but not exactly like Lugt]; unknown collector, Australia

The Death of Procris

Giorgio Ghisi

c. 1540

Accession Number

1985.171

Medium

engraving

Dimensions

Sheet: 40.4 x 57.5 cm (15 7/8 x 22 5/8 in.); Platemark: 39.7 x 57.2 cm (15 5/8 x 22 1/2 in.)

Classification

Print

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

John L. Severance Fund