Diana and Endymion

Diana and Endymion, painted around 1633, depicts the myth of the goddess of the hunt who fell in love with the beautiful sleeping shepherd. The nocturnal subject allowed Cortona to explore dramatic lighting effects—the divine radiance of Diana illuminating the sleeping mortal. Such mythological subjects were prized by collectors for their combination of classical learning and sensuous beauty. Characteristic of Cortona's approach, the work displays exuberant illusionism, dynamic compositions, rich color, grand decorative schemes.

The nocturnal scene employs a dramatic contrast between the luminous figure of Diana and the surrounding darkness, with moonlight effects creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Cortona's handling of the sleeping figure of Endymion demonstrates his mastery of idealized male anatomy.