Selene and Endymion, Gerard de Lairesse, c. 1680
oil on canvas, h 177cm × w 118.5cm More details
This painting was made for Mary Stuart II, princess of Orange and later queen of England. It illustrates a mythological story about the moon goddess Selene, who is in love with the shepherd Endymion. At night, while he sleeps, she quietly approaches him, accompanied by the love god Cupid. The torch he holds symbolizes the burning passion of love. It is no coincidence that this painting hung in Mary Stuart’s bedroom.
