Onderboezem met Jupiter en Callisto 1632 - 1693

Francois de Poilly created this print titled, "Onderboezem met Jupiter en Callisto" in the 17th century. The image shows a fireplace design, with an inset mythological scene. De Poilly was working in a world steeped in the narratives of powerful men and gods, where the stories of women were often told through the lens of male desire and dominance. Here, we see Jupiter's encounter with Callisto, a story ripe with themes of power, seduction, and transformation. The tale reflects the cultural norms of a time when the transgressions of gods were often used to normalize the behaviors of men in power. Callisto's fate, transformed into a bear by a vengeful Juno, speaks to the limited agency women held. The print serves not just as a design but as a reflection of the social structures in which women's bodies and stories were often controlled and manipulated. Consider the emotional weight carried by Callisto, a figure caught in a web of divine machinations. The fireplace becomes a domestic stage for a drama of identity and fate.