Diana and Endymion
Joshua Cristall (Cambourne 1767/68 - London 1847)
Category
Art / Drawings and watercolours
Date
1807 (exh)
Materials
Watercolour on paper
Measurements
552 x 775 mm (21 ¾ x 29 in)
Order this imageCollection
Attingham Park, Shropshire
NT 607883
Summary
Watercolour on paper, Diana and Endymion by Joshua Cristall (Cambourne 1768 – London 1847), 1807. The moon-goddess, Selene, identified by the Romans with Diana is seen, full-length in the centre, on a cloud, with her arms resting on a rock, her brow supported by her left hand, bends over the naked body of Endymion, his head to the right, his feet to the left, his left arm trailing on the ground; his head inclined forward rests in the crook of his arm, which rests on the same rock on which Diana is leaning; a dog, sitting to the left, its back turned to the spectator, turns his head to the right to look up at Diana. She fell in love with Endymion, the beautiful young shepherd, when she saw him sleeping naked on Mt. Latmus, and used to come down from the heavens to consort with him at night. Companion to NT607882 and NT607884. Glazed in ornate giltwood frame, carved leaf border.
Provenance
Bought by Thomas Henry Noel-Hill 8th Lord Berwick (1877-1947) with other two Cristalls; bequeathed to the National Trust by Edith Teresa Hulton, Lady Berwick (1890-1972).
Credit line
Attingham Park, The Berwick Collection (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Artist's name and title are on the back of the drawing.
Makers and roles
Joshua Cristall (Cambourne 1767/68 - London 1847), artist