A refined chiaroscuro woodcut by Nicolas Le Sueur, depicting the mythological encounter between Diana and the sleeping shepherd Endymion.

This print depicts the classical myth of Diana, the goddess of the moon, visiting the sleeping shepherd Endymion. Nicolas Le Sueur, a master of the chiaroscuro woodcut technique, produced this work after a drawing by the Italian painter Sebastiano Conca. The composition follows the conventions of the period, balancing the ethereal presence of the goddess with the grounded, slumbering figure of the shepherd.

Le Sueur employs a sophisticated layering of tone to suggest depth and volume. The use of multiple blocks allows for a subtle range of grey and blue-grey hues, which define the contours of the figures and the surrounding foliage. Diana is shown hovering above, her form illuminated against a crescent moon, while Endymion rests upon a rocky outcrop, accompanied by his hunting dogs. The inclusion of the spear and the dogs provides a narrative link to Endymion's life as a hunter, contrasting with the quiet, nocturnal atmosphere of the scene.

The technical execution reflects the collaborative nature of eighteenth-century printmaking, where engravers often interpreted the works of contemporary painters. The lines are precise and controlled, characteristic of the French school of engraving during this era. The work demonstrates a clear understanding of light and shadow, using the chiaroscuro method to create a sense of atmospheric perspective. This print serves as a fine example of the period's interest in classical themes, rendered with the technical refinement expected of a professional printmaker working under the direction of figures such as Basseporte. The composition remains balanced, avoiding excessive ornamentation while maintaining a focus on the narrative interaction between the two central figures.