Roman Marble Torso of the Goddess Diana

Most frequently identified as goddess of the hunt, Diana (known to the Greeks as Artemis) was particularly concerned with periods of transition, i.e., the rites of passage of virgins becoming women, or young boys becoming men through hunting or war. Though eternally virginal herself, she presided over childbirth and the rearing of children. In fact, as soon as she was born, Diana helped her mother give birth to her twin brother Apollo. Her own transformation occurred at the famous temple of Ephesus where she became an “earth mother” with multiple breasts.

Here, she is depicted in her more traditional role as that of the huntress. She wears a belted chiton so finely pleated as to resemble a wooly coat. Traces of her famed quiver, one of her telltale attributes, are evident behind right shoulder. An exceptionally realized figure, with a highly animated pose and striking modeling of the body and garment, this sculpture is a Roman version based on a Greek original made by the sculptor Kephisodotos during the 4th century B.C. Though a fragment of the life-size statue, we can begin to imagine the completed state of this work by comparing it to the Greek original on which it is based. Judging by the exquisite artistry evident in this sculpture, we can assume that this was a worthy replica of the influential masterpiece. Surely, Diana would be proud to have such a gorgeous monument memorialize her.