The painting is a representation of Persephone, the goddess of the
underworld in Greek mythology. It could also be perceived as a portrait of the
model, Jane Morris. At the time, Jane was imprisoned in an unhappy
marriage to her husband, William and engaging in a long term affair with
Rossetti. Ironically, it was William who suggested the paintings subject.
The painting incorporates a number of symbolic elements. The incense burner in the bottom left hand corner is a trait of a goddess. The sprigs of ivy in the background emphasise the ornamental qualities of the painting and signify an attachment and/or dependence to/on memories. This derives from the manner in which ivy scales trees and buildings to reach the sunlight. An attachment to memories is reiterated through the positioning of the model arms. The pomegranate is indicative of marriage and captivity. In the myth The Abduction of Persephone, she is said to have eaten six pomegranate seeds offered to her by Hades. Having eaten what is referred to as the food of the dead, Persephone was unable to leave the underworld for good.
Here is a section of the book Dante Gabriel Rossetti: A Record and a Study by William Sharp in which Rossetti describes the subject of his painting:
"The figure represents Proserpine as Empress of Hades. After she was conveyed by Pluto to his realm, and became his bride, her mother Ceres importuned Jupiter for her return to earth, and he was prevailed on to consent to this, provided only she had not partaken of any of the fruits of Hades. It was found, however, that she had eaten one grain of a a pomegranate, and this enchained her to her new empire and destiny.She is represented in a gloomy corridor of her palace, with the fatal fruit in her hand. As she passes, a gleam strikes on the wall behind her form some inlet suddenly opened, and admitting for a moment the light of the upper world; and she glances furtively towards it, immersed in thought."
(W. Sharp, Dante Gabriel Rossetti: A Record and Study, London 1882, p.236)
The painting incorporates a number of symbolic elements. The incense burner in the bottom left hand corner is a trait of a goddess. The sprigs of ivy in the background emphasise the ornamental qualities of the painting and signify an attachment and/or dependence to/on memories. This derives from the manner in which ivy scales trees and buildings to reach the sunlight. An attachment to memories is reiterated through the positioning of the model arms. The pomegranate is indicative of marriage and captivity. In the myth The Abduction of Persephone, she is said to have eaten six pomegranate seeds offered to her by Hades. Having eaten what is referred to as the food of the dead, Persephone was unable to leave the underworld for good.
Here is a section of the book Dante Gabriel Rossetti: A Record and a Study by William Sharp in which Rossetti describes the subject of his painting:
"The figure represents Proserpine as Empress of Hades. After she was conveyed by Pluto to his realm, and became his bride, her mother Ceres importuned Jupiter for her return to earth, and he was prevailed on to consent to this, provided only she had not partaken of any of the fruits of Hades. It was found, however, that she had eaten one grain of a a pomegranate, and this enchained her to her new empire and destiny.She is represented in a gloomy corridor of her palace, with the fatal fruit in her hand. As she passes, a gleam strikes on the wall behind her form some inlet suddenly opened, and admitting for a moment the light of the upper world; and she glances furtively towards it, immersed in thought."
(W. Sharp, Dante Gabriel Rossetti: A Record and Study, London 1882, p.236)
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