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52
ENDYMION c.1900
GEORGE
FREDERICK WATTS, O.M., R.A.
1817 - 1904
Oil
on canvas, 76.2 x 34 (30 x 13.4)
Provenance:
unknown.
A
virtually abstract composition in which Endymion reclines,
knees raised, at the right, while bending above him is the
white-gowned figure of Diana / the moon.
Endymion
was a handsome youth granted the gift of eternal sleep by
Zeus but was loved by the moon (Diana) who came down to earth
nightly to visit him. When a version was exhibited at the
Royal Academy in 1905 the catalogue contained the following
description, probably written by Watts; "Endymion loved the
Moon, who is here represented by Diana, in pale blue robes,
descending from Heaven, and embracing him as he lies on the
ground."
In
accordance with his usual practice Watts painted several versions
of the subject which differ in composition, the best known,
Endymion, 1869-73 (52 x 66), in a private collection,
being of landscape format. A larger and looser version of
this composition, begun in 1869 and com-pleted in 1903 (104
x 122), is in the Watts Gallery. A version of the upright
composition was purchased by the Leger Galleries in 1949 and
sold by them to David Loshak in 1954.
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