3-035-621 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Orpheus and Eurydice, about 1709. Additional Info: In the center of the picture, Orpheus leads his wife, Eurydice, out of Hades after having won her release by his enchanting violin playing. Pluto, ruler of Hades, and his wife Proserpine observe their departure from the upper left. The three Fates ominously spin the future at the left, foreshadowing Orpheus's eventual downfall. He broke the one condition that Proserpine had set for Eurydice's return to earth: he could not look at her until they had lef the netherworld. On reaching earthly light, Orpheus could not resist a glimpse, and Eurydice vanished forever.