Artwork
Diana as Luna Accompanying a Young Man Serenading
Diana as Luna Accompanying a Young Man Serenading is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacob Matham. It dates from 1615 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Jacob Matham’s 1615 engraving, titled *Diana as Luna Accompanying a Young Man Serenading*, presents a nocturnal scene in which a youthful lute player performs beneath a luminous moon. The goddess Diana, identified here with her lunar aspect, stands nearby, observing the serenade. The composition balances a tranquil atmosphere with careful attention to the surrounding foliage and garments.
Subject & Meaning
The work merges classical mythology with a domestic musical moment: Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt and moon, is depicted as Luna, the celestial embodiment, overseeing a solitary musician. The juxtaposition of divine watchfulness and human art suggests a harmonious relationship between the natural world, celestial cycles, and the pleasures of music.
Technique & Style
Executed as an engraving on laid paper, the image relies on fine line work to render textures, from the sheen of the young man’s clothing to the bark of surrounding trees. Matham’s use of cross‑hatching creates subtle tonal variations that convey moonlight’s soft illumination, while the intricate detailing underscores the print’s technical virtuosity.
History & Provenance
Created in the early seventeenth century, the print reflects the period’s fascination with mythological subjects rendered for a collecting public.
Created in the early seventeenth century, the print reflects the period’s fascination with mythological subjects rendered for a collecting public. Jacob Matham, a prominent Dutch engraver and son‑in‑law of Hendrick Goltzius, produced the work as part of his broader output of reproductive and original prints. The engraving has circulated among European collections since its inception, exemplifying the era’s print‑making trade.
Artist & collection
