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Bernardino Luini (artist) Italian, c. 1480 - 1532 Procris and the Unicorn, c. 1520/1522 fresco overall: 228.6 x 108 cm (90 x 42 1/2 in.) Samuel H. Kress Collection 1943.4.60 On View |
Object 9 of 9
Although related to the joyous events from the fifth act, the final scene is another invention that does not appear in the drama. Procris extends one arm gently toward a unicorn, which kneels in deference to her purity. This fabulous animal does not come from ancient mythology but, rather, is a symbol of virginity in the Christian faith.
The unicorn functions as a metaphor, suggesting that, through her earthly sorrows, Procris has suffered martyrdom and been resurrected. Thus, in translating Niccolò da Correggio’s play into painted images, Bernardino Luini followed two Renaissance practices: an interest in reviving classical style as well as a tendency to give moralizing religious meanings to pagan myths.
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