Diana and Callisto, , François Boucher, 1760 by Atelier Liesjes

About "Diana and Callisto, , François Boucher, 1760"

by Atelier Liesjes

About the artwork

Diana was the Roman goddess of the hunt (Diana Venatrix), as well as of wild nature, of birth (Diana Lucina), of the moon (Diana Lucifera, light-bearing Diana) and as such similar to Hekate (Diana Trivia, goddess of the triple jumps). The Roman Diana was, like her Greek counterpart Artemis, a light- and life-giving goddess. For this reason she was later identified with Artemis and all the attributes and myths of the latter were transferred to her in Latin literature.

Kallisto in Greek mythology is the daughter of King Lycaon of Arcadia, from Nonacris. Her name is derived from kallístê ("most beautiful"), the superlative of kalós ("beautiful"). The woman was a nymph of Artemis

Here the two girls lie in love under a tree with two angels or putti. An angel, a cupid, tries to increase the passion with an arrow, while the women are already clearly in love as a lesbian couple.

One girl lies naked on the other's lap, exposing her legs, hip, stomach, torso and breasts.

All in all a sexy and sensual erotic picture with romance.
A queer image possibly based on a lesbian relationship with lesbians.

Francois Boucher (Paris, France September 29, 1703 - May 30, 1770) was a painter from the French school of the rococo. In 1723 he won the competition for the Grand Prix. The artist is known for his lovely, romantic and sweet paintings with sensual undertones.