STORY OF A FAMOUS PICTURE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 166, 12 July 1912, Page 2

STORY OF A FAMOUS PICTURE.

Mrs J. c. Macky met the members of the Yotmg Women's Christian Association last night, and interpreted tor them the picture entitled "The Return of Persephone." Persephone, while gathering flowers In a meadow, was seized by Pluto. King of the lower regions, who took her down Into Hades to be his Queen. Her mother, Ceres. Goddess- of Corn and Agriculture, mourned so much for her daughter, that Zeus gavt her special permission to send Mercury, the messenger of the Gods, down to Hades to bring Persephone back, Pinto let her go on this condition: that since she had eaten several grains of a pomegranate while she was in Hades, she must spend six months of every year with ■trim. During that time Ceres mourns, and the earth brings forth no fruit. A winter and spring picture, the grief of the mother during the time of her daughter's absence representing winter, and the return of Persephone signifying spring, as then the earth bursts forth into bud, and flowers and fruits blossom. Mrs Macky devoted a few minutes to the life of Sir R. Leighton, the painter, and concluded with the closing words of his speech when elected President of the Royal Academy: "Whatever of dignity and strength there is within us, will dignify and make strong the work of our hands; whatever littleness degrades our spirit will lessen and Wrag them down.'' Mrs StillweD announced that a copy of the picture had been presented to the Y.W.C.A. by Mrs Macky.