Neapolitan master, 17th century, Neapolitan master, 17th century. Bozzetto, Diana Discovering Callisto's Pregnancy

Oil on canvas. 67.5 × 81cm

While the nymphs are bathing, Diana discovers that Callisto is pregnant and therefore casts her out of her entourage. The story is told in a complex character composition. Diana, the goddess of hunting, virginity and the forest, has gathered with her nymphs in a grotto at a spring to bathe. When she undresses, it turns out that Callisto is pregnant. She had been seduced by Jupiter. Diana stands left of center, her head is distinguished by a nimbus. The focus of the composition, however, is on Callisto and the group of nymphs around her. The virgin companions react to Callisto's pregnancy with surprise, dismay and reproach. On the left front there are more nymphs with hunting dogs, on the right front you can see more hunting dogs. Oil on canvas. 67.5 × 81cm