Ubaldo Gandolfi – Selene and Endymion Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

The composition presents a nocturnal scene steeped in mythological narrative. A reclining male figure dominates the foreground, sprawled upon roughly hewn stone steps that ascend into shadow. He appears asleep, his body relaxed and vulnerable, draped partially in a golden cloth. A shepherd’s staff rests against one of the stones nearby, suggesting a pastoral setting disrupted by an otherworldly encounter.
Above him, bathed in ethereal light emanating from a crescent moon, is a female figure seated upon billowing clouds. She is adorned with flowing drapery, predominantly blue and white, which accentuates her celestial nature. Her posture conveys both grace and a certain detached observation of the scene below. A small winged putto stands beside her, actively engaged in playing a stringed instrument; his presence introduces an element of playful enchantment to the otherwise solemn atmosphere.
The artist employed a dramatic chiaroscuro technique, utilizing deep shadows to contrast with the luminous highlights on the figures and moon. This creates a sense of depth and mystery, emphasizing the otherworldly quality of the female figure and her domain. The dark background, punctuated by glimpses of foliage, further isolates the central action, drawing the viewer’s attention to the interaction between the sleeping man and the celestial being above.
Subtleties within the scene suggest themes of desire, enchantment, and the power of divine intervention. The male figures slumber implies a state of receptivity, perhaps even unconscious longing. The female figure’s gaze is directed downwards, hinting at both pity and fascination for the mortal below. The putto’s music seems to be an accompaniment to this silent drama, adding a layer of emotional complexity.
The arrangement of figures suggests a narrative moment frozen in time – a clandestine encounter between the divine and human realms, where beauty, vulnerability, and the allure of the unknown converge. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, inviting reflection on the interplay between mortality and immortality, earthly desire and celestial grace.