DIANA OF VERSAILLES

Religion and Spirituality

Describe:

Analyze:

Interpret:

I think that The Greek who originally created this was portraying the goddess Artemis, Diana for the Romans, as a hunter who protects the innocent. The tree stump suggests that the scene is in the forest. Artemis hears something and turns to confront it, pulling out an arrow and keeping a hand on the deer to calm and protect it. Her mouth is set into a firm line, and her face is collectively passive and relaxed.

Diana of Versailles

Roman copy of Greek statue attributed to Barthélemy Prieur in 1602

-Entire statue created with white marble, and a smooth surface texture
-figures of woman, tree stump, and deer
-woman is wearing simple knee length dress and carries a quiver, holds a horn of the deer
-tree stump hold deer up
-idealistic body proportions (for Greeks)
-face is turned to the side, body faces forward
-clothes seem to fall naturally, sandals on feet
-hair is up with a crown
-smooth edge lines

-Unity: entire statue is connected physically and made of same color material
-all are complex shapes
-contrapposto
-woman's arm curves to her back and her fingers reach for an arrow, her head is turned sharply looking at something in the distance, and her body shifts forward to step in front if the deer
-shadows cast depth, in particular creates contrast in clothes to appear more flowing