Artwork
Diana tötet die Kinder der Niobe
Diana tötet die Kinder der Niobe is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Sebastiano Conca. It dates from 1722 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a work of mythological genre, the artwork illustrates the divine retribution of the goddess Diana against the offspring of Niobe.
Sebastiano Conca's 1722 painting depicts the mythological scene of Diana slaying the children of Niobe. As a work of mythological genre, the artwork illustrates the divine retribution of the goddess Diana against the offspring of Niobe. The subject matter centers on the confrontation between the deity and the victims, representing the fulfillment of a classical narrative regarding divine punishment. The composition captures the moment of this violent intervention within the framework of Greco-Roman mythology.
Technique & Style
Sebastiano Conca painted Diana tötet die Kinder der Niobe in 1722, depicting the mythological scene of Diana slaying the children of Niobe. Executed in oil on canvas, the work measures 195 cm in width and 130 cm in height, as recorded in the Alte Pinakothek's collection details. The painting is part of the Bavarian State Painting Collections and remains displayed at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich, reflecting its enduring formal composition and mythological gravitas.
The stylistic execution demonstrates Conca's characteristic Baroque approach, blending dynamic movement with dramatic chiaroscuro to emphasize the violent narrative. The canvas support and handling of paint reveal standard 18th-century techniques, preserving the artwork's structural integrity despite centuries of stewardship.
History & Provenance
Sebastiano Conca painted Diana tötet die Kinder der Niobe in 1722, a mythological canvas now held by the Bavarian State Painting Collections and displayed at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The work entered the collection through the museum’s acquisition program and remains part of its permanent display, reflecting its sustained ownership by the institution since its creation.
Sebastiano Conca's 1722 painting Diana tötet die Kinder der Niobe is housed in the Bavarian State Painting Collections at the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. The work has been part of the museum's exhibition history, including the 2016 exhibition "Baroque Masterpieces from Southern Germany" at the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
The painting measures 195 cm in width and 130 cm in height.
Overview
Sebastiano Conca's 'Diana tötet die Kinder der Niobe' (1722) depicts the mythological moment from Ovid's Metamorphoses where the goddess Diana, accompanied by her brother Apollo, punishes Niobe for her hubris by slaying her children. The composition is a dynamic example of late Baroque narrative painting, characterized by a swirling, chaotic arrangement of figures that fills the canvas. Diana is positioned prominently on the right, often identified by her bow and quiver, as she releases an arrow amidst the turmoil.
The scene captures the immediate aftermath of the attack: Niobe's sons and daughters are shown in various states of collapse and death, while a rearing horse and a desperate male figure clinging to it heighten the sense of panic and physical struggle. The dark, turbulent sky serves as a dramatic backdrop, amplifying the emotional intensity of the massacre. Painted in 1722, this work reflects Conca's mature style, demonstrating his ability to synthesize the theatricality of the Roman Baroque with the emerging clarity of the Rococo.
It stands as a significant example of his mythological output during his active years in Rome, showcasing his skill in rendering complex groupings and expressive anatomy.
Artist & collection
