1903

In 1903, Geelong Gallery displayed Thomas Kennington’s Cephalus and Procris (1897), which was lent by the British loan collection.

The story of Cephalus and Procris is a mythical romantic tragedy. Cephalus was an Aeolian prince, the son of King Deioneus of Phocis, and Procris was an Athenian princess, the daughter of King Erechtheus of Athens. The two were married and said to be wholly devoted to each other.

The goddess of dawn, Eos, fell in love with Cephalus, and when he wouldn’t leave Procris for her, she kidnapped him while he was hunting. Eos eventually gave him back to Procris due to Cephalus’ constant pining for her. 

Although the two were back together, they distrusted each other, constantly questioning their fidelity. This ended up being their undoing. Procris had gifted Cephalus two magical items she acquired from the goddess Diana, a hunting hound that always catches its prey, and a javelin/dart that always hits its target. 

One day Procris followed Cephalus into the woods, thinking he was using hunting as an excuse to break his fidelity. She hid in a bush, making a rustle, which Cephalus took for an animal. He threw the magical javelin and accidently killed Procris. This scene is depicted in Kennington’s painting. 

Geelong Gallery charged a small admission fee to see the painting, with the intention of raising enough funds to purchase the work, an intention they fulfilled.