Jupiter and Callisto Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640)
Peter Paul Rubens – Jupiter and Callisto
1613. 202x305. State Museum Kassel
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Painter: Peter Paul Rubens
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Painter: Peter Paul Rubens
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Callisto was a companion of Diana and, like her mistress, had taken a vow of chastity. Diana, the patroness of hunters, created around herself something akin to a female monastery, but unlike the enclosed and penitent Christian abbey, the cult of health, beauty, and freshness prevailed among the goddesss handmaidens. This semi-sporting, semi-religious feminist community did not tolerate men. From time to time, unpleasant things happened to the nymphs, and the goddess was even willing to graciously forgive them if they warned her about changes in their intentions regarding virginity. Those who lost their innocence were strictly forbidden to bathe in the goddesss sacred spring, where Diana bathed every day, performing a cleansing ritual with an afternoon rest.
Jupiter fell in love with Callisto, but he understood that Dianas purity and devotion would not allow him to succeed. In order for Callisto, frightened by the gods advances, not to turn into a tree or shrub, as happened to Daphne and Syrinx, Jupiter takes on the appearance of Diana. Callisto could not refuse kisses from her beloved patroness, and Jupiter took advantage of the maidens innocence. Satisfied, he murmurs: His wife wont find out about this, will she? he said. If she does, oh, let it be! Its not worth a womans quarrel.
Nine months later, a storm arose. During bathing, Diana discovered Callistos pregnancy and banished her from the sacred spring in disgrace. Junos wrath then fell upon her, and she immediately transformed Callisto into a bear. The unfortunate nymph, frightened by people and animals, wandered through the forests for fifteen years, until she suddenly met her son, Arcas. Recognizing him, Callisto looked at the young man with longing and devotion, but the frightened Arcas was about to shoot an arrow at her. Fortunately, Jupiter intervened in time and carried mother and son to the sky, creating the constellations Ursa Major and Ursa Minor. Juno stirred up another scandal and demanded that the Oceanids not allow the stars into the sea. Therefore, the constellation Ursa Major never reaches the ocean waves; the Oceanids drive Callisto away from the pure waters, just as Diana drove her away from the sacred spring in its time.
Source: http://www.igorkorshunov.narod.ru/Draughts/Kallisto.html
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The painting depicts a scene from Greek mythology, specifically the story of Jupiter and Callisto. In the foreground, two nude female figures are intimately positioned.
The figure on the left, identified as Callisto, is reclining and appears distressed or surprised. Her body is rendered with soft, pale flesh tones, highlighting her vulnerability. Her limbs are gracefully posed, with one leg crossed over the other. Beside her lies a quiver of arrows, suggesting her association with the huntress Diana.
The figure on the right, presumed to be Jupiter disguised as Diana, leans over Callisto. Jupiters gaze is intense and focused on Callisto, while one hand gently touches her chin and the others hand is near her breast. This gesture is both tender and suggestive, hinting at his seductive intentions. Jupiter is draped in a dark, flowing fabric, which contrasts with Callistos pale skin.
In the background, a large, dark eagle with outstretched wings is prominent. The eagle is a well-known symbol of Jupiter, representing his power and his divine form. This element serves as a visual cue to Jupiters true identity and his divine intervention in the mortal world. The landscape behind them is somewhat obscured by darkness, with trees and a hint of a sky with clouds, creating a dramatic and intimate atmosphere.
The subtexts of the painting revolve around themes of seduction, deception, transformation, and the abuse of power. Jupiter, king of the gods, desires Callisto, a virgin follower of Diana. He disguises himself as Diana, her goddess patron, to gain her trust and seduce her. The painting captures the moment of this deceptive encounter, with Callisto unaware of Jupiters true form. The presence of the eagle, Jupiters symbol, foreshadows his transgression and Callistos eventual fate. Callisto, after being violated by Jupiter, is consequently turned into a bear by a jealous Juno, Jupiters wife, and later transformed into the constellation Ursa Major. The painting thus alludes to themes of forced metamorphosis and punishment within the divine realm. It also touches upon the vulnerability of mortals in the face of divine will and the complex relationships between gods and humans, particularly concerning desire and its consequences.