In Greek mythology, the goddess Persephone was abducted by Hades to be his bride in the underworld. Her mother Demeter mourned her loss and the earth became barren as a result. She pleaded with Zeus to return Persephone so they would not be separated.
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'Demeter Mourning for Persephone'- Evelyn de Morgan, 1906 |
Zeus agreed but unfortunately Persephone had eaten some pomegranate seeds which meant that she couldn't leave the underworld. In order to restore the earth, they made a deal that Persephone could spend half the year with Hades and the other half with Demeter.
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'Proserpine'- Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1874 |
The myth of Persephone and Demeter's separation and reunion was used to explain the cycle of seasons.
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'The Return of Persephone' - Frederic Leighton, 1891
'The Fate of Persephone' - Walter Crane, 1877.
'Persephone' - Arthur Hacker, ca. 1889.
'Demeter' - Simon Vouet, 17th C.
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