Diana
Frederick William MacMonnies
American Art
On View: American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, The United States on the World Stage, 1865â1930
Frederick William MacMonnies’s choice of Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, as the subject of this sculpture testifies to the interest in mythological subjects and themes among Neoclassical American sculptors during the latter half of the nineteenth century. However, the artist eschewed the idealized proportions of Neoclassicism to embrace a more naturalistic modeling of the human form.
An artist of international acclaim during his lifetime, MacMonnies completed the design for Diana while training in Paris. After the life-size plaster model earned an award at the Salon of 1889, he began to produce smaller multiples such as this one.
MEDIUM
Bronze
DATES
1890
DIMENSIONS
Overall: 30 3/8 x 20 7/8 x 16 3/4 in. (77.2 x 53 x 42.5 cm)
Diameter of base: 12 7/8 in. (32.7 cm)
MARKINGS
Foundry mark next to signature in circular stamp: "[around top edge] JABOEUF . ROUARD . / [in center] FONDEURS / A / PARIS / 10 . 12 / [along bottom edge] R. DE L'ASILE POPINCOURT."
Engraved on underside of base "10"
SIGNATURE
Engraved on the top of the base behind foot: "FRANCE / [in script] F. MacMonnies / 1890 / Copyright 1894"
ACCESSION NUMBER
2005.31
CREDIT LINE
Gift of William C. Brown
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Statue of nude female figure running forward on proper right leg with arms outstretched as if she has just shot an arrow; has crescent moon on top of head and holds bow in proper left hand. Stands on stepped circular base.
Condition: Good.
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