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Bernardino Luini (artist) Italian, c. 1480 - 1532 Procris Pierced by Cephalus' Javelin, c. 1520/1522 fresco overall: 144.1 x 123.2 cm (56 3/4 x 48 1/2 in.) Samuel H. Kress Collection 1943.4.56 |
Object 6 of 9
Following the newlyweds’ reunion, Procris becomes jealous in turn. Suspecting Cephalus of infidelity, she follows him on a hunting trip. He hears her and, thinking some wild animal is near, hurls his magic spear. In this vivid illustration from Act IV, the dying Procris reels against the force of the javelin. Ovid’s ancient myth ends tragically at this point, leaving Cephalus to wander the earth in lonely guilt.
Here Procris appears considerably larger in scale than most of the other figures in the cycle. Her prominence, appropriate for the story’s climax, suggests that this scene was a focal point of the decorative scheme and occupied an important position in the room.
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