Diana the Huntress

Anonymous after Jean-Antoine HOUDON (1741 – 1824)

France

Original from 1790

Resin mould

Gift from M. Boudine, 1991

Inv. 1991.2.24

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This resin mould is an anonymous copy of the marble sculpture Diana the Huntress by Jean-Jacques Houdon (1741-1824) at the Louvre.

Diana, completely naked, holds a bow and an arrow in her hand. She is about to take a step and stands delicately on her left foot, which gives her an aerial stance. The antique inspiration can be seen in her triumphant nudity, privilege of the Gods, the classicism of her features and the refined modeling of her silhouette. Her pose captured mid-movement is a testimony to a more mannerist influence, thus setting Houdon at a crosswalk of influences allowing him to renew models from Antiquity.

Diana, the Roman goddess of hunting and wild animals, is Apollo’s twin sister. Considered as the Greek Artemis, she carries her attributes: the bow, arrows, and a golden quiver forged by the Cyclops. As the moon goddess, counterpoint to her brother, the sun god, she is often represented with a moon crescent on her head as can be seen here.

A virgin goddess, she is followed by twenty nymphs and young mortal women all bound by a vow of chastity. As a protector of animals, she is accompanied by a deer. This ambivalent animal symbolizes the goddess’ strength as well as death when it becomes its prey.