Diana ontdekt de zwangerschap van Callisto 1590

Hendrick Goltzius made this engraving, "Diana Discovers Callisto's Pregnancy," in the Netherlands during the late 16th century. It depicts a scene from Ovid's Metamorphoses, where the goddess Diana discovers that one of her nymphs, Callisto, is pregnant, a violation of her vow of chastity. The image creates meaning through its visual codes, drawing from classical mythology and the artistic conventions of the time. Goltzius likely made this print for a sophisticated, educated audience familiar with classical literature and art. In the 16th century, such works circulated among humanist scholars and members of the aristocracy. The print can be seen as commenting on the social structures of its time, particularly regarding the expectations and limitations placed on women, with the idea that their roles were closely tied to their bodies. The tragedy of Callisto can be researched through classical texts and histories of gender in early modern Europe. By examining the social and institutional contexts in which Goltzius created his art, we can gain a richer understanding of its meaning and significance.