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    Diana and Callisto

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    Diana and Callisto
    Diana and Callisto
    Diana and Callisto
    Private Collection / Photograph by Studio Edmark Photography
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    Artist
    Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782)
    Title
    Diana and Callisto
    Date
    Undated
    Medium
    Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    Metric: 78.5 x 101.5 cm
    Imperial: 30 7/8 x 39 1/2 in.
    Collection
    Private Collection
    Wilson Online Reference
    P127B
    Description
    Wilson has restored the ruined Roman Temple of Diana, just below the town of Nemi itself, to its original shape. It is shown halfway up the opposite shore to the west, with the largely medieval town above and Monte Calvarone beyond. In the foreground, Diana with her hounds points accusingly at Callisto, who is accompanied by two other nymphs.In this evening scene, parallel rays of sunlight descend from the upper left to the lower right.
    Exhibited
    Birmingham 1948 (62); London 1949 (61)
    Provenance
    Believed to have been bought by James West P.R.S. (1704-72) but possibly acquired by his grandson; thence by descent
    Signature/inscription
    Signed lower right corner: RW [monogram, R reversed]
    Techniques and materials
    There has been some early adjustment of the drapery round Callisto's back and shoulders.
    Labels
    [1] [Birmingham 1948 &c]
    Subject
    Callisto was a nymph seduced by Jupiter when disguised as Diana. The scene comes from Ovid's Metamorphoses, book 2, lines 401-530 and especially 441-465, where the virgin huntress has just discovered her handmaiden's pregnancy and is banishing her. Callisto's child will be the forefather of the Arcadian people. Since ancient times Lake Nemi had been associated with the cult of the goddess. Virgil and other classical writers had described the smooth, rounded lake as the Speculum Dianae or Mirror of Diana and as such, it was frequently mentioned in 18th century guide-books. Her famous sanctuary, the Grove of Diana, was on the northern shore of the lake, beneath the little town of Nemi (in Latin, Nemus Aricinum). The classical connotations of the lake are here strengthened by the introduction of Diana herself, chastising the errant nymph.
    Related Prints
    E13 Wood after Wilson, The Lake of Nemi or Speculum Dianæ, The British Museum
    E82 Marvy after Wilson, Lake Nemi or Speculum Dianæ, The British Museum
    Versions
    See 'Links' tab
    Critical commentary
    Lake Nemi is accurately represented. To the left a pentiment of a tree-trunk runs up diagonally.
    Bibliography
    WGC, pp. 164-65, pl. 24a
    Link to WG Constable Archive Record
    WGC/1/1/24
    Condition/Conservation
    The frame is early 19th century ornate. The picture is in very good condition with hardly any intervention.
    Kate Lowry has noted: Simple weave canvas, glue lined. Present stretcher has five members with square mortice joints and dates from the relining treatment. The vection crack which had formed along the inside edge of the original upper stretcher member indicates that the original stretcher had slightly narrower members. Pale warm grey ground visible in foreground and at upper left in tree foliage. Some drying cracks in areas of dark paint. Under UV light minor retouches are visible over the varnish in lower left foreground, left hand tree trunk and in centre sky, this later possibly associated with an old filled damage. Some reinforcing retouches also to the drapery of the two standing figures either side of seated nude, Callisto. No retouches to her figure or to the signature. Retouching of upper vection crack is discoloured. Pentiment of a bare tree trunk visible to the right of left hand trees, which appears in other earlier versions of this composition such as the one at Lady Lever Art Gallery, but has here been painted out by Wilson. Generally in excellent condition.

    Work of Art

    Prints

    • Joseph Wood after Wilson, The Lake of Nemi or Speculum Dianæ, The British Museum
    • Joseph Wood after Wilson, The Lake of Nemi or Speculum Dianæ, Royal Academy of Arts, London
    • Joseph Wood after Wilson, The Lake of Nemi or Speculum Dianæ, National Museum Wales, Cardiff
    • Louis Marvy after Wilson, Lake Nemi or Speculum Dianæ, The British Museum

    Versions

    • Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782) Diana and Callisto, Lady Lever Art Gallery, National Museums Liverpool
    • Richard Wilson and Studio The Lake of Nemi or Speculum Dianae with Dolbadarn Castle (Diana and Callisto), Bristol City Museum and Gallery
    • Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782) The Lake of Nemi or Speculum Dianae (The Lake of Nemi with Diana and Callisto), The Trustees of Jane, Lucy and Charles Hoare, Stourhead, Wiltshire, National Trust

    Exhibitions

    • Birmingham City Art Gallery, 17 November 1948 - 9 January 1949
    • London, Tate Gallery, 22 January - 14 March 1949

    Documents

    • William George Constable, Richard Wilson
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