How does Diana and Callisto (Bril) elucidate its Painting?
Bril was born and trained in Antwerp. He subsequently moved to Italy in 1575 or 1582. In Rome, he came into contact with the prominent artists of the time and under the influence of the local art movements. This deeply modified his style, which became "calmer and more classicizing". In the 1620s, Bril produced a number of landscapes, such as Diana and Callisto, wherein "broad tranquil settings are inhabited by mythological figures."In the painting, Diana is seated on a stone in the foreground at lower right, surrounded by the other virgins. On the ground next to her are two quivers, some red and white clothing, and her bow.Diana is gesturing to a group of nymphs on the other side of the body of water who are forcibly undressing Callisto. On the group's right is a nymph naked and ready to bathe, while on their left two nymphs look on, armed with bow and spears and flanked by a dog.Dead game, more quivers, a bow and a spear lay next to some blue and red clothing on the bottom left. Next to these are two dogs. A man accompanied by a dog is passing by the undulated opening that leads from the cove to the open fields. The blue peaks of some hills are visible in the background.
Big, white clouds drift left to right. Sunlight radiates from behind the tall trees that border the painting to the right.
The painting was bequeathed to the National Gallery by Sir Claude Phillips upon his death in 1924.
Callisto Sir Claude Phillips right Claude Phillips Antwerp Diana nymph left National Gallery