Diana and Endymion (Solimena)

Diana and Endymion

In Greek mythology, the moon goddess Selene is known for her affair with the mortal Endymion, a young shepherd who slept on a mountain, with whom she had fifty daughters. The poet Sappho, active in the late 7th to early 6th century BC, apparently mentioned their story. In Roman mythology, Diana took on Selene's attributes and was described as the goddess who falls in love with Endymion, though Diana was regarded as a virgin goddess.

Painting

This painting comes from the final phase of Solimena’s career, when he turned his attention to myths, a shift sparked by the Arcadian movement’s love for classical themes. It was also shaped by his rivalry with Paolo de Matteis, which began after Solimena visited Rome in 1701. The subject is Diana, the Greek goddess of the hunt, the Moon, and chastity, who is usually shown hunting or bathing with nymphs. Here, Solimena portrays her hopeless love for the young shepherd Endymion, turning the scene into a symbol of Platonic love.

Endymion would sleep on a mountain peak while watching his flock. Diana was drawn to his beauty, but because she was a virgin goddess, her affection could never be returned. She appears as a huntress in a short robe, descending from the sky on a cloud, riding a chariot pulled by horses. Endymion lies naked, asleep.

Cupid aims an arrow at Diana, ready to fire. Her eyes rest on the sleeping youth, filled with both longing and sorrow. The myth says Diana visited Endymion every night to kiss him while he slept. Her gentle touch would partly wake him, and he would catch a fleeting glimpse of her.

Unable to believe such beauty was real, he thought it was a dream and began to prefer that dreamlike state to his waking life, though he never saw her while fully awake. Because of her love, Endymion received eternal youth and timeless beauty.

Did You Know?

• Francesco Solimena came from an artistic family; his father was the poet and painter Angelo Solimena.
• Solimena's father forced him to study law despite his early artistic talent.
• Cardinal Vincenzo Orsini, later Pope Benedict XIII, discovered Solimena's talent and arranged for him to become an artist.