This drawing was done using graphite pencils on 9×12 inch Canson XL Mixed Media paper. It was copied from a marble sculpture of Sleeping Endymion by the artist Agostino Cornacchini.
The original 1716 sculpture of Sleeping Endymion by Cornacchini is in the Cleveland Museum of Fine Arts. However, as of this writing, it is not on view. So the work might possibly be stored at the Cleveland Heights Self Storage Facility. So feel free to go down there and check it out! It’s on Lee Road, right across the street from ‘The Bottle House Brewery’. You can’t miss it!
Gary B. on Google reviews said: “Very conveniently located. Fair rates. The owner is considerate and very helpful.” That review was from 7 years ago. However, 5 years ago, Kimberly R. posted the question: “Is this facility still open?” And there hasn’t been a response since. So you might want to call first.
Now is the time to ask AI about this sculpture. Take it away, Microsoft Co-Pilot.
Me: Tell me about the marble sculpture of Sleeping Endymion by Agostino Cornacchini.
Microsoft Co-pilot:
The marble sculpture “Sleeping Endymion” by Agostino Cornacchini is a sensational neoclassical work created in 1716 (I knew the year already). It portrays Endymion, a shepherd from Greek mythology, in a serene pose of eternal sleep. The sculpture captures the myth where Selene, the moon goddess, was so captivated by Endymion’s beauty that she asked Zeus to grant him immortality, which came at the cost of eternal slumber. In other words, he can live forever but has to stay asleep the whole time. It’s crucial to recognize that this was a time when CPAP machines had not yet been invented!
I still don’t get it.
Cornacchini’s sculpture is celebrated for its graceful style, moving away from the dramatic effects of Baroque art. Endymion is depicted reclining against the base of a tree, with his dog and shepherd’s crook nearby, emphasizing his pastoral life. The marble is skillfully carved, with intricate details like the bark and leaves on the base, creating the illusion of a natural setting.
1archive.org
Me: What is Endymion the symbol of?
Co-Pilot: Endymion embodies eternal youth, timeless beauty, and the quest for unattainable love. His perpetual slumber symbolizes peace and stillness, untouched by the passage of time or life’s challenges. He represents an ideal existence, perfect and unchanging, inspiring us to seek beauty and serenity amidst life’s journey. (Note: I had Grammarly.com rewrite it to make it inspirational.)
Me: I still don’t get it.
Co-pilot: No worries—let me break it down in simpler terms!
And then MIcrosoft Co-pilot explained it again in another way that was very similar to the first time.
