Artwork
Rest of Diana
Rest of Diana is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Jan Stobbaerts. It dates from 1894 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.
About this work
Overview
Jan Stobbaerts completed *Rest of Diana* in 1894, employing oil on canvas to render a quiet interior scene drawn from classical mythology. The composition features a nude female figure seated on a bench opposite a clothed man who leans against a table, both observed within a dimly lit room that includes a large mirror and a narrow shaft of daylight from a window.
Subject & Meaning
The work alludes to the myth of Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, suggesting a moment of repose after a hunt or a private encounter. The juxtaposition of the unclothed woman and the attired man, together with the reflective surface, invites contemplation of vulnerability, observation, and the interplay between the divine and the mortal.
Technique & Style
Stobbaerts applies a Post‑Impressionist palette, using muted tones and loose brushwork to convey the subdued lighting and intimate atmosphere. The handling of light—particularly the thin beam entering the room—creates subtle contrasts, while the mirror’s surface reflects the surrounding space, adding depth and a sense of realism characteristic of his later period.
History & Provenance
After its creation, *Rest of Diana* entered the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp, where it remains on display. The painting reflects Stobbaerts’ shift from his earlier focus on animal and landscape subjects toward more narrative, interior compositions during the 1890s.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan Stobbaerts or Jan-Baptist Stobbaerts (18 March 1838 – 25 November 1914) was a Belgian painter and printmaker.
