Landscape with the Discovery of Callisto’s Pregnancy c. 1630 - 1640

Cornelis van Poelenburch’s “Landscape with the Discovery of Callisto’s Pregnancy,” a 17th-century oil painting, portrays the mythological tale of Callisto's discovery that she is pregnant. The painting features four female figures in the foreground, with a classical ruin, a lush wooded landscape, and a distant valley extending into the background. The scene evokes a sense of both the beauty of nature and the drama of the story. This piece, considered part of the Italianate landscape genre, is an example of the artist’s skillful handling of light and shadow, creating a peaceful yet captivating atmosphere.