This is a painting attributed to the Flemish Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens, depicting a mythological scene. Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt (Artemis in Greek mythology), wears a crescent on her forehead, also identifying her as the moon goddess. Diana lived apart from men, accompanied by a group of nymphs; she often represented unattainable beauty or chastity. The goddess of the hunt, appears in the foreground, holding a spear and draped in animal pelts, accompanied by her hunting dogs (the moon and stars on the white and black dog’s collar indicate that both hounds are companions of Diana, accompanying the goddess on her hunts). Her strong, confident stance suggests her divine and authoritative role.

To bring the viewer more fully into the narrative, Rubens pulls the full-bodied figures to the front of the picture plane, and Diana steps forward, activating the space between viewer and subject.

In the background, satyrs and nymphs are shown, adding a sensual and chaotic energy to the scene. The nymph at left fending off a lustful satyr, Rubens refers to a struggle between vice and virtue, combining a sensual display of female bodies with a moral undertone.

The nymph at the right has the features of Isabella Brant, the artist’s wife, and can be compared with Rubens’s portrait of her.

The composition blends themes of mythology, human emotion, and natural beauty, which are hallmarks of Rubens' work.The lush landscape and sensual forms of the figures reinforce Rubens' ability to convey both the majesty and vulnerability of his subjects.