Diana and Endymion

c. 1729 - 1742 (published 1763)

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 shows two main figures with additional smaller figures above them. The central figure on the left is reclining with their eyes closed, resting their head on their right hand, and their left hand across the body. This person has long, wavy hair and a bare chest. The figure next to them is seated, facing the reclining person, while holding a long staff or spear. This person has hair styled neatly back and wears a draped garment. Above these two figures, there are two cherubic figures with wings, one holding a curved horn-like object. At the base, two dogs are present, one with its head up looking towards the viewer. The background features shaded illustrations of foliage and a circular design framing the seated figure's head.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    chiaroscuro woodcut printed from three blocks: black line block and gray-blue and light blue tone blocks on heavy laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Gift of Ruth B. Benedict

  • Dimensions

    image: 44.9 x 30.9 cm (17 11/16 x 12 3/16 in.)
    sheet: 53.2 x 34.4 cm (20 15/16 x 13 9/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1994.60.39

  • 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

Dr. Ruth B. Benedict (1913-1993), Washington; bequest to NGA, 1994.

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

2021

  • Hoisington, Rena. Aquatint: From Its Origins to Goya. Washington, 2021: 38, fig. 9.

Inscriptions

lower center in block: Diane et Endimion; across bottom in block: d'apres le dessein de Sébastien Conca, grave par Nicolas le Sueur Sous la Conduite de M. Basseporie 134.

Wikidata ID

Q75122193

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