Arthur Wardle, R.I., R.B.C. Moon Kissed – Endymion
Property from the Wardle Family
Arthur Wardle, R.I., R.B.C.
London 1864–1949
Moon Kissed – Endymion
signed lower right: ARTHUR / WARDLE; and also signed and indistinctly inscribed on a label on the stretcher A Wardle Esq
oil on canvas, unlined
unframed: 102 x 153 cm.; 40 x 60¼ in.
framed: 113 x 164.5 cm.; 44½ x 64¾ in.
Condition Report:
The canvas has not been lined. The surface is dirty and there are areas of bloom, notably to the foliage. There is a small puncture in the upper right corner. There are some small losses to the lower right corner and one very small loss to the upper left corner. There are two tiny losses beneath the figure's feet, visible upon very close inspection. Examination under ultra-violet light reveals no evidence of retouching or restoration.
Catalogue Note:
Moon Kissed – Endymion was painted in 1920 and is one of Wardle’s last pictures combining mythology with animal subjects which also included depictions of Bacchantes running with leopards, sea-nymphs cavorting with polar bears and Leda with her beloved swan. This painting depicts the beautiful youth Endymion, son of Zeus and the nymph Calyse, sleeping on Mount Latmos as the crescent moon descends. The bright white glow of the moon touches his lips and it will soon take the form of Selene, the Goddess of the Moon with whom Endymion had forty children. He was granted immortality by the goddess whose only request was that she could sleep beside him every night. One of his four hunting-hounds has been awoken by Selene’s approach and it is these canine companions that demonstrate Wardle’s wonderful ability to capture the personalities of animals. A pastel study for the painting on blue paper is known but the present painting has not been seen publicly for over a hundred years.
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Property from the Wardle Family
Arthur Wardle, R.I., R.B.C.
London 1864–1949
Moon Kissed – Endymion
signed lower right: ARTHUR / WARDLE; and also signed and indistinctly inscribed on a label on the stretcher A Wardle Esq
oil on canvas, unlined
unframed: 102 x 153 cm.; 40 x 60¼ in.
framed: 113 x 164.5 cm.; 44½ x 64¾ in.
Condition Report:
The canvas has not been lined. The surface is dirty and there are areas of bloom, notably to the foliage. There is a small puncture in the upper right corner. There are some small losses to the lower right corner and one very small loss to the upper left corner. There are two tiny losses beneath the figure's feet, visible upon very close inspection. Examination under ultra-violet light reveals no evidence of retouching or restoration.
Catalogue Note:
Moon Kissed – Endymion was painted in 1920 and is one of Wardle’s last pictures combining mythology with animal subjects which also included depictions of Bacchantes running with leopards, sea-nymphs cavorting with polar bears and Leda with her beloved swan. This painting depicts the beautiful youth Endymion, son of Zeus and the nymph Calyse, sleeping on Mount Latmos as the crescent moon descends. The bright white glow of the moon touches his lips and it will soon take the form of Selene, the Goddess of the Moon with whom Endymion had forty children. He was granted immortality by the goddess whose only request was that she could sleep beside him every night. One of his four hunting-hounds has been awoken by Selene’s approach and it is these canine companions that demonstrate Wardle’s wonderful ability to capture the personalities of animals. A pastel study for the painting on blue paper is known but the present painting has not been seen publicly for over a hundred years.
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