(Weimar 1712–1774 Dresden)
A pastoral landscape with Diana and her nymphs,
signed and dated at lower centre: Dietricy 1754,
oil on canvas, 80.7 x 101.6 cm, framed

Provenance:
Sale Foster’s, London, 31 May 1833, lot 173;
John Rushout, 2nd Lord Northwick (1770–1859), Thirlestaine House, Cheltenham;
Captain E. G. Spencer Churchill, M. C., Northwick Park;
Sale Christie’s, London, 25 February 1966, lot 109;
Sale Christie’s, London, 9 December 2009, lot 101

Literature:
A Catalogue of the Pictures, Works of Art etc. at Northwick Park, 1864 (1908), no. 125;
T. Borenius, The Collection of Pictures at Northwick Park, London, 1921

The repertoire of this versatile artist also comprised mythological subject matter. P. Schniewind Michel on this aspect in Dietrich’s art (in: P. Schniewind Michel, Christian Wilhelm Ernst Dietrich, genannt Dietricy, Munich, 2012, p. 137): ‘Although Dietrich’s treatment of ancient mythology, fables, and allegories proves that he was also able to tackle such themes with great accomplishment, the number of works realised in these disciplines is comparatively small when compared to his output in other genres.’ The present painting is thus one of the rare examples of Dietrich’s superb interpretations of the myths of Greek and Roman antiquity.