Callisto was a nymph in Greek mythology. It is in many ways a tragic story, and this painting is a tribute to the beautiful moon Callisto and female power.
Callisto was a nymph and daughter of King Lycaon. Callisto was a follower of Artemis who attracted Zeus (Jupiter). Zeus transformed himself into the figure of Artemis and seduced Callisto in this guise and raped her. She became pregnant, and when this was discovered, Callisto was expelled from Artemis' group, and was turned into a bear. Later, when she was about to be killed by her son, she was placed among the stars.
The fourth Galilean moon Jupiter is named after Callisto. Callisto is thus a moon in orbit around the planet Jupiter and is the third largest moon in the solar system.
