Artwork

Diana bathing with her Nymphs

Diana bathing with her Nymphs, by Cornelius van Poelenburgh, oil, 1624
Diana bathing with her Nymphs, by Cornelius van Poelenburgh, oil, 1624

Diana bathing with her Nymphs is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Cornelius van Poelenburgh. It dates from 1624 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition draws on classical mythology, emphasizing themes of divine femininity, chastity, and the harmonious relationship between deities and nature.

Diana bathing with her Nymphs portrays the Roman goddess Diana in a moment of private leisure, accompanied by her attendant nymphs. The composition draws on classical mythology, emphasizing themes of divine femininity, chastity, and the harmonious relationship between deities and nature. Symbolic elements such as the huntress’s attire and the presence of water underscore her role as a protector of wilderness and a figure of purity.

Technique & Style

The painting is executed on a copper support using oil paint. Its dimensions measure 44 cm in height and 56 cm in width. The work belongs to the mythological genre, depicting the goddess Diana in a bathing scene accompanied by her nymphs.

The composition reflects the stylistic characteristics of Dutch Golden Age mythological paintings, with careful rendering of the figure and delicate handling of light on the metal surface.

History & Provenance

The painting was created in 1624 by Cornelius van Poelenburgh. It was later owned by Ferdinand VII of Spain, who held the work in the Royal Palace of Madrid. The artwork remained in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid after entering the royal collection.

Diana bathing with her Nymphs is held by the Museo del Prado at the Royal Palace of Madrid. According to Wikidata, the painting was owned by Ferdinand VII of Spain and is part of the Museo del Prado collection. No specific inventory or accession number is recorded in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented.

Context

Cornelius van Poelenburgh's Diana bathing with her Nymphs, executed in 1624 on copper, exemplifies the artist's specialization in mythological subjects rendered on small, precious supports. The work is currently held by the Museo del Prado in Madrid, where it entered the royal collection under the ownership of Ferdinand VII of Spain. As a mythological painting depicting Diana and the episode of Actaeon, the piece aligns with the broader Dutch Baroque interest in classical narratives adapted for intimate formats.

Its creation date situates it within the early 17th-century flourishing of Utrecht Caravaggism, a movement in which van Poelenburgh was a central figure known for his refined handling of light and landscape within mythological scenes.

Overview

Created in 1624, Diana bathing with her Nymphs is a modestly sized copper painting by Cornelius van Poelenburgh. Executed in the Flemish Baroque idiom, the work presents a tranquil riverine setting where the Roman goddess Diana and her attendants are shown at leisure. The composition balances figures and landscape, inviting the viewer into a quiet, mythological moment.

Diana and her Nymphs
Diana and her Nymphs, Unknown

Artist & collection

Portrait of Cornelius van Poelenburgh

Artist

Cornelius van Poelenburgh

Cornelis van Poelenburgh or Cornelis van Poelenburch (1594 – 12 August 1667), was a Dutch landscape painter and draughtsman.

Museo del Prado

Museum

Museo del Prado

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This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Museo del Prado open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Diana bathing with her Nymphs?

Diana bathing with her Nymphs was painted by Cornelius van Poelenburgh in 1624.

Where can I see Diana bathing with her Nymphs?

Diana bathing with her Nymphs is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Diana bathing with her Nymphs?

Diana bathing with her Nymphs is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Diana bathing with her Nymphs?

Museum-quality prints of Diana bathing with her Nymphs are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.