Diana and Her Dog

Rather than being engaged in a heroic mythological story, Diana, goddess of the moon, simply rests languidly in a world of her own: lost in thought as her greyhound nuzzles her arm, she has removed her garment and seems spent from a long day of hunting. Sebastiano Ricci characteristically employed this graceful, elongated figure type and lively brushwork, but the muted palette, modest dimensions, and reflective tone are unusual for him — perhaps he restrained his normally bold colors because he depicted Diana at dusk. The painting shows his transition to a more Rococo style of pastel colors and a lighter touch, leaving behind his earlier Baroque compositions with their dramatic gestures, bold colors, and serious subject matter. The painting is held in the J. Paul Getty Museum.