The Return of Persephone by Frederic Leighton Canvas Print

The Return of Persephone; Frederic Leighton; 1891. Leighton (1830-1896) was an English painter and sculptor. His paintings are known for luminous colors. Persephone, the daughter of Zeus and the harvest-goddess Demeter, was abducted by Hades (King of the Underworld). Demeter learned that Zeus had conspired to have Persephone abducted, and refused to let the Earth bare harvest until her daughter was returned. However, because Persephone had eaten pomegranate seeds (food of the Underworld), she was forced to spend part of the year in the Underworld. She returned to the Earth in Spring and retired to the Underworld in Winter.