Diana und Callisto

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.