Selene og Endymion 1865 - 1917

Frans Schwartz created this print called 'Selene og Endymion,' whose date is unknown, and which is now housed at the SMK. Schwartz was a Danish artist working in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time when artists were grappling with tradition while also exploring new ways to represent the world. This print depicts a mythological scene: Selene, the goddess of the moon, gazing down at the sleeping shepherd Endymion. The story speaks to themes of longing, desire, and the power dynamics inherent in relationships, especially those that cross social or divine boundaries. Selene's position as a goddess and Endymion's as a mortal man sets up a dynamic of power and vulnerability. Does Selene’s gaze express tenderness, possession, or something in between? Is Endymion truly asleep, or is he aware of her presence? This scene invites us to reflect on the complexities of love, the tensions between human and divine, and the delicate balance of agency and passivity within relationships.