Diana and Callisto
around 1566 | Tiziano Vecellio, gen. Tizian
The nymph Callisto had vowed chastity to Diana, Goddess of Hunting. She broke her vow when Jupiter approached her in the guise of Diana. The Goddess then discovered the pregnancy of her subject. As a punishment Callisto was cast out and turned into a bear by Juno, Jupiter’s jealous wife. Jupiter then raised Callisto up to the “Great Bear” constellation. In 1559 Titian had sent an earlier version of this theme to King Philip II of Spain. The sketch found under the paint surface of this picture is consistent with the first version.
The nymph Callisto had vowed chastity to Diana, Goddess of Hunting. She broke her vow when Jupiter approached her in the guise of Diana. The Goddess then discovered the pregnancy of her subject. As a punishment Callisto was cast out and turned into a bear by Juno, Jupiter’s jealous wife. Jupiter then raised Callisto up to the “Great Bear” constellation. In 1559 Titian had sent an earlier version of this theme to King Philip II of Spain. The sketch found under the paint surface of this picture is consistent with the first version.
Artist:
Tiziano Vecellio, gen. Tizian (und Werkstatt) (um 1488 Pieve di Cadore - 1576 Venedig) DNB
Time:
around 1566
Object Name
Painting
Culture
Italian, Venetian
Material/technology:
Canvas
Dimensions:
allseitig etwas beschnitten: slightly cut on all sides: 183 x 200 cm
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 71
Provenance
Probably acquired by Maximilian II. himself in 1568