Pluto a.k.a. "Proserpine and Pluto"

Joseph Anthony Mugnaini

A lithograph done by Joseph Mugnaini in 1953, working with the California Master Printer, lithographer Lynton Kistler. From a series of mythological themes done in editions of 20. This impression is accompanied by an 'authentication' from Kistler and signed by Mugnaini.

Mugnaini began his long-time collaboration with author Ray Bradbury in 1952, during which time he interpreted and illustrated many of Bradbury's books, including "Fahrenheit 451" through the "Martian Chronicles".

Proserpine (Proserpina) was the daughter of Zeus (Jupiter, chief god), and the daughter of Demeter (Ceres), the goddess of agriculture. Pluto complained to Zeus that he alone was without a wife and Zeus, without the consent of Proserpine, gave his daughter to Pluto. In this image, the dark-winged Pluto races his chariot toward the abyss of the underworld while holding onto the abducted and clearly distraught Proserpine.