Selene og Endymion 1865 - 1917

Frans Schwartz created this print of Selene and Endymion, a plate measuring 351 by 311mm, sometime between 1870 and 1917, the year of his death. The image depicts the Greek myth of Selene, the moon goddess, gazing adoringly at the mortal shepherd Endymion, whom she has cast into eternal sleep so that she alone might enjoy his beauty. Consider the social context in which Schwartz chose to represent this myth. The late 19th century saw a revival of interest in classical subjects, particularly those emphasizing idealized beauty and romantic love. This print, with its delicate lines and focus on ethereal figures, reflects the aesthetic preferences of the time. It also invites us to contemplate the role of the artist as a kind of Selene, capturing beauty and preserving it for posterity. To understand this print more fully, one might consult the artist's letters and diaries, exhibition reviews, and critical essays. It’s through such historical inquiry that we can appreciate the contingent social and institutional meanings of art.