Salvator RosaItalian, 1615–1673Ceres and Phytalus
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Chicago, United States
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the work
Salvator Rosa produced 17 large etchings in the early 1660s, frequently adopting mythological lore peppered with classical literature. Ceres and Phytalus deliciously celebrates the fig, of which Rosa was particularly fond. Phytalus, a king of Attica, is said to have given the goddess Ceres shelter on her journey to find her daughter Proserpina, whom Pluto had abducted into the underworld. Rosa’s inscription reads, “Here the hero Phytalus had received Ceres into his house, on whom she first bestowed the seeds of the sacred fruit which mortals call the FIG.” This honeyed crop subsequently became a staple of Mediterranean cuisine.
Art Institute of ChicagoCC BY 4.0
Particulars
- Accession number
- 2012.923
In the catalog
Sources
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Image: Art Institute of Chicago — CC0
