Inv. Pc 149

The artist painted this work for his friend Bonaventura Argenti, musician of the Cappella Pontificia, about 1660.

The delicate subject is taken from the Dialogues of the Gods, by Lucianus: the shepherd Endymion obtains eternal youth from Jupiter, but is plunged into an unending sleep.

The Moon (already identified with Diana, sister of Apollo and goddess of the hunt), in love with Endymion, visits him every night.