Diana Embracing the Sleeping Endymion c. 16th century

Curator: This is Carlo Cesio's "Diana Embracing the Sleeping Endymion." Editor: My first thought is intimacy. It feels very tender, yet also carries an undercurrent of power imbalance. Curator: The piece depicts the myth of Diana, the moon goddess, gazing upon the shepherd Endymion. The story has been interpreted as divine love or even a commentary on class and gender roles. Editor: Absolutely. The dog at Endymion's feet, the cherubic figures... they all point to established visual tropes of fidelity and innocence, but her gaze unsettles that reading. What does it mean for a goddess to desire a mortal this way? Curator: The visual language of divinity is upended here, with Endymion vulnerable in his sleep. It’s a visual representation of the complexities of desire and unequal power dynamics. Editor: A fascinating subversion of the expected narrative, indeed. It provides a fresh perspective on a familiar tale.