# Jupiter and Callisto [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [EVERDINGEN, Caesar van]() - Date: 1651-1700 - Technique: Oil on canvas, 165 x 193 cm ## Commentary The subject of the painting is taken from Ovid. Diana's nymphs were expected to be as chaste as the goddess herself. One of them, Callisto, was seduced by Jupiter who first disguised himself as Diana in order to gain the nymphs presence. Her pregnancy was eventually noticed by Diana who punished Callisto by changing her into a a bear and setting the dogs on her. But Jupiter snatched her up to heaven just in time. In this painting Jupiter embraces the naked reclining nymph. His eagle in the background has a thunderbolt in its beak. Callisto is not yet aware of the fate that awaits her. Supporting herself on the quiver, she rises from her rest and looks directly at Jupiter, whom she believes to be Diana. What is unique in Everdingen's painting is that Callisto glances up and sees Jupiter as Diana, whereas we see him as himself, wearing the crown of the gods. <P> <TABLE ALIGN=LEFT CELLPADDING=5 BORDER=1 WIDTH=320 BGCOLOR="\#99CCCC"> <TR VALIGN=MIDDLE><TD><IMG SRC="/support/gif/listen.gif" BORDER=0 VALIGN=MIDDLE> Suggested listening \(streaming mp3, 38 minutes\):<BR><A HREF="\#" onClick="w=window.open \('/music1/mozart/mozart\_k\_551.html', 'newWin', 'scrollbars=yes,status=no,dependent=yes,screenX=0,screenY=0,width=350,height=350'\);w.opener=this;w.focus\(\);return true"><B>Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Symphony in C Major \(Jupiter-Symphony\) K 551</B></A> </TD></TR></TABLE> ## Related artworks - [Allegory of the Birth of Frederik Hendrik]() - [Amor Holding a Glass Orb]() - [Bacchus with Nymphs and Cupid]() - [Count Willem II of Holland Granting Privileges]() - [Diogenes Seeks a True Man]() - [Four Muses and Pegasus on Parnassus]() - [Holy Family]() - [Lycurgus Demonstrates the Benefits of Education]() - [Nymphs Offering the Young Bacchus Wine, Fruit and Flowers]() - [Officers and Standard-Bearers of the Old Civic Guard]() - [Portrait of a Girl as a Huntress]() - [Portrait of a Two-Year-Old Boy]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()