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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.
- (X.0045)
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