Diana en Endymion 1703 - 1775

Louis Fabritius Dubourg created this drawing, Diana en Endymion, using pen in gray ink and brush in gray and brown wash. This piece reflects the 18th-century fascination with classical mythology, but it also subtly underscores the era's complex attitudes toward gender and power. Diana, the goddess of the hunt and moon, is depicted here in a traditionally dominant pose, gazing down at the mortal Endymion. This dynamic is not just about divine versus mortal; it speaks to the period's hierarchical social structures, where the gaze and power were often male prerogatives. Yet, by choosing this intimate, almost voyeuristic moment, Dubourg hints at the emotional complexities beneath the surface of mythological tales. The sensuous rendering of both figures invites us to consider themes of desire and vulnerability. The drawing delicately balances the celebration of classical ideals with the subtle questioning of social norms, leaving us to ponder the multifaceted layers of identity.