Diana and Actaeon 1585

Bartholomeus Spranger sketched ‘Diana and Actaeon’ with pen and brown ink, likely around the late 16th century. The image is based on the classical myth of the hunter Actaeon, who accidentally stumbles upon the goddess Diana and her nymphs bathing. As punishment for his intrusion, Diana transforms him into a stag, and he is hunted down and killed by his own hounds. But it is worth asking how Spranger's drawing functions within the cultural landscape of the Habsburg court. Spranger, as court artist, would have been deeply embedded in the world of aristocratic patronage. His works, often erotically charged mythological scenes, reflect the values and tastes of his elite clientele. We might also consider the role of classical mythology itself, and how it was used to express power, status, and learning. The historian then, must look to sources like court records, letters, and other documents to understand Spranger's world and the social function of his art. By understanding the conditions under which it was created, we can better understand the enduring power of this image.