Diana und Aktaion

Diana and Actaeon

After a day's hunting, the mortal Actaeon inadvertently happens upon Diana, chaste goddess of the hunt, bathing in a shady grotto. Actaeon's intrusion causes consternation among Diana's virgin nymphs, who rush to cover their nudity. Nonetheless, the soft sensuousness of female flesh, Titian's special hallmark, proliferates for the delight of his young patron, Philip II of Spain.

Diana and Actaeon and Diana and Callisto belong to a group of six mythological works inspired by the Roman poet Ovid's Metamorphoses. The paintings became renowned for their rich array of colours, contrasting textures and dreamy atmospheric effects achieved with eloquent brushwork.