Diana and Endymion 1700 - 1765

Johann Heinrich Keller rendered this drawing of Diana and Endymion with pen and brown ink, and gray wash. Observe Diana, goddess of the moon, gazing down upon the shepherd Endymion. The moon is shown in the background. Diana’s association with the moon is ancient, reaching back to Babylonian lunar deities. Consider how lunar symbolism, connected to cyclical change and feminine power, has resurfaced through various epochs. For instance, in the Minoan civilization, lunar symbolism was connected to female deities. Later, one finds its echoes in the Renaissance with the fascination for classical myths. The persistent human drive to interpret the cosmos through myth is apparent here. Keller’s "Diana and Endymion" reminds us that our emotional and psychological connection to celestial bodies persists, shaping how we perceive our place in the universe. This narrative, passed down through time, continues to resonate.