Diana surprised by Actaeon
Canvas, signed and dated lower center Girolano Pesce/fecit 1738
73 x 97 cm
In this painting the artist relates the mythological scene of Diana and Actaeon:
While Diana is taking her bath with her attendants in the fountain of Gargaphia, Actaeon, who is wandering with an uncertain step, arrives at this place, "guided by his destiny". The followers of Diana see him and surround the goddess to prevent Actaeon from looking at her. However, she exceeds her followers by her size and her beauty and, not being able to avoid the glance of this man, blushes. She then throws "vengeful" water on Actéon's face and says to him: "Go now and forget that you have seen Diane in the bath. If you can, I agree". Following these words, branches begin to grow on Actaeon's skull, he is transformed into a stag.
The redness of Diana's cheeks, her hand touching the water and the horns growing on Actaeon's forehead translate well this passage of the myth
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