Diana and Actaeon
1588
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
1588
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
A hunter stumbles upon a group of women bathing in a dark forest. The women look shocked; one covers herself with a cloth. The hunter’s dogs snarl nearby. This is the moment Diana turns Actaeon into a deer—his own hounds will soon tear him apart. Bassano painted it late in life, using quick, thick brushstrokes that make the scene feel alive. The silvery light gives everything a dreamy glow, like moonlight on water. If you like this, look up *glazing*—the technique Bassano used to build that soft, glowing light.
