Diana and Endymion

c. 1729 - 1742

Nicolas Le Sueur

Associated Names
Nicolas Le Sueur

Artist, French, 1690 - 1764

Madeleine Françoise Basseporte

Artist, French, 1701 - 1780

Sebastiano Conca

Artist After, Italian, 1680 - 1764

The image depicts two central figures. One figure, a man, is shown reclining against some drapery. He appears to be asleep, with his head resting on his hand and eyes closed. His long hair cascades past his shoulders. He is partially covered by a piece of cloth draped over his lower body and is holding a staff or rod with one hand. Another figure, a woman, is positioned behind him, looking down at him. Her hair is styled in an updo, with some decorative detail. She is wearing a flowing garment that leaves her arms bare. Two cherub-like figures hover above them, holding a torch, while two dogs lie at the man's feet. The background features swirling lines suggesting clouds or foliage.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    chiaroscuro woodcut printed in green and black on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Pepita Milmore Memorial Fund

  • Dimensions

    image: 44.4 × 31.4 cm (17 1/2 × 12 3/8 in.)
    sheet: 54.9 × 38.4 cm (21 5/8 × 15 1/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2018.91.15

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Le Blanc 1854 - 1888, no. 21

  • Series Title

    Recueil d'estampes d'après les plus beaux tableaux et d'après les plus beaux desseins qui sont en France dans le Cabinet du Roy, dans celuy de Monseigneur le duc d'Orléans, & dans d'autres cabinets, divisé suivant les différentes écoles avec un abrégé de la vie des peintres, & une description historique de chaque tableau. (vol. 2, plate 134)

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(James A. Bergquist, Newton Centre, MA); purchased 2018 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1854

  • Le Blanc, Charles. _Manuel de l'amateur d'estampes, contenant le dictionnaire des graveurs de toutes les nations, dans lequel sont decrites les estampes rares, precieuses et interessantes avec l'indication de leurs differents etats et des prix auxquels: no. 21

2021

  • Hoisington, Rena. Aquatint: From Its Origins to Goya. Washington, 2021: 38, fig. 8.

Inscriptions

lower center below image: Diane et Endimion / dapres le dessein de Sébastien Conca, gravé par Nicolas leSueur. Sous le Conduite de M.le Basseporte 134

Watermarks

proprietary, with heart

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