Diana and Endymion
1695
oil
canvas
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
About the artist
Artist
Johann Michael Rottmayr
Johann Michael Rottmayr (1656–1730) was an Austrian artist, born in Laufen.
See the richer artist page1695
oil
canvas
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
Diana and Endymion is a 1695 oil by Johann Michael Rottmayr, a Barbizon school work, depicting Aeneas, held at Art Institute of Chicago.
This painting shows a sleeping man lit by moonlight with a woman bending over him. Light glows on the man’s skin while the woman’s silver dress shimmers. A small dog sleeps at his feet in the dark. The scene comes from an old myth where Diana, the moon goddess, visits Endymion nightly. Rottmayr painted her soft light brushing his face to show how love lingers. The dog adds a quiet touch—even gods care. Look closer and you’ll see how the artist balances bright skin against deep shadows. Compare this to Johann Michael Rottmayr.
Unknown Illinois banker; given by banker to Jacob S. Sherman, Chicago, during the 1930s as collateral for a loan that was never repaid [according to Robert Parker Sherman, son of Jacob S. Sherman, telephone conversation with Martha Wolff, 23 July 2003, transcribed in curatorial file]; given by Jacob S. Sherman (died 1961) to the Art Institute, 1961.
Sarasota, Fla., John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, "Central Europe: 1600–1800," 27 January–27 February 1972.
Art Institute of Chicago, Paintings in The Art Institute of Chicago: A Catalogue of the Picture Collection (Chicago, 1961), p. 405A. Edward A. Maser, "Five Early Paintings by Johann Michael Rottmayr," Art Institute of Chicago Museum Studies 2 (1967), pp. 19, 22–31, pl. 2. Edward A. Maser, "Fünf frühe Gemälde des Johann Rottmayr," Alte und Moderne Kunst 24 (1979), pp. 1–4, ill. no. 5. Erich Hubala, Johann Michael Rottmayr (Vienna, 1981) p. 182, no. G21, fig. 43.
Read the full account in the museum source.
Johann Michael Rottmayr (1656–1730) was an Austrian artist, born in Laufen.
See the richer artist page
