Diana at The Louvre, Paris

myminifactory

In ancient Roman mythology, Diana was a powerful goddess who controlled the hunt, the moon, and childbirth. Her association with wild animals and woodland made her a revered figure in Italy. As a skilled communicator, Diana could talk to and control animals at will. She was equivalent to the Greek goddess Artemis, although she had an independent origin. In Roman Neopaganism and Stregheria, Diana remains a highly respected deity. Dianic Wicca, a feminist form of practice, is named after her. As a virgin goddess of childbirth and women, Diana was one of three maiden goddesses who swore never to marry. Oak groves held special significance for her. According to myth, Diana was born on the island of Delos with her twin brother Apollo as their father Jupiter and mother Latona looked on. Alongside Egeria, a water nymph and midwife, and Virbius, a woodland god, Diana formed a powerful triad. This sculpture of Diana was crafted by Alselme Flamen between 1693-1694 for the Parc de Marly, where it initially took pride of place. Today, it is on permanent display at The Louvre in Paris as part of the "Scan The World" initiative. Scan The World is a non-profit project that creates digital archives of fully printable sculptures and artworks from around the globe for everyone to access free of charge. This community-driven effort aims to make cultural heritage accessible to all, with contributions welcome from anyone interested in sharing their own unique items. If you have something interesting to share, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn more about how you can be a part of this exciting project.