Endymion 1733 - 1780

Curator: Here we have H.J. Schrader’s “Endymion,” created sometime between 1733 and 1780. It’s a tempera painting, currently held here at the SMK. Editor: My first impression is how dreamy it feels – the soft colours, the way the figures seem to float… Curator: Absolutely. Looking at the facture, the tempera gives this work a distinctive matte surface, lacking the sheen of oil paint typically favored during that period. You can almost feel the chalky texture. How do you interpret the appearance of the classical figures? Editor: The composition centers around Endymion, a shepherd in Greek mythology known for his perpetual sleep, and the goddess Selene, the moon, often depicted in pursuit. Those hovering figures… cupids, right? Reinforcing the themes of love and perhaps the allure of eternal rest. Curator: The rococo style lends itself beautifully to this subject matter. The artist is playing with these allegorical and figurative elements. The tempera, unlike oils, would have required faster execution, perhaps indicating something about Schrader's work process. We also need to consider the pigments. The limited range hints at restrictions based on availability and expense within the social context. Editor: Yes, but within those limitations, he conjures a visual language that speaks volumes about desire, dreams, and idealized beauty. Selene’s gaze and Endymion’s posture invite a symbolic reading, almost as if exploring the human longing for something beyond our grasp. Curator: Or, we could also interpret it through the lens of patronage. Someone commissioned this; they were purchasing not just a painting, but also the allusion to classical learning, love, and leisure – demonstrating good taste. It is itself a material symbol of social standing. Editor: Point taken. Even from a symbolic standpoint, the soft forms and pastel colors enhance that association with luxury. They become an important signifier. Curator: Well, considering the tempera and pigment constraints combined with these deliberate allegorical and stylistic choices certainly gives one insight into Schrader’s decision making. Editor: Indeed. The dreamlike atmosphere and the romantic narrative it embodies definitely remain powerful. Curator: For sure! Thanks for highlighting its intriguing layers.