Diana ontdekt de zwangerschap van Callisto 1600 - 1647

Moyses van Wtenbrouck created this print, "Diana Discovers Callisto's Pregnancy", in the first half of the 17th century. It captures a moment of discovery and betrayal within a close-knit, all-female world, echoing some of the anxieties about female roles, expectations and transgressions during that period. The scene unfolds with Diana and her nymphs, figures of female independence, confronting Callisto. Callisto stands apart, her body revealing an unwanted pregnancy, a symbol of lost purity. Wtenbrouck invites us to consider the complexities of female relationships, where loyalty and judgment intertwine. How might societal expectations of women shaped their interactions and self-perceptions? The landscape, both enclosing and revealing, serves as a stage for this intimate drama. It raises questions about autonomy, conformity, and the consequences of deviating from prescribed paths. It’s a story of personal transformation, of social norms, and perhaps most poignantly, of the pain of being seen and judged by those closest to you.