Diana (Diane)

myminifactory

This is a marble sculpture showcasing the nude goddess Diana striding confidently with a dog by her side, evoking a sense of haunting mystique. Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, the moon, and nature, held sway over wild animals and woodland, possessing the uncanny ability to converse with and command them at will. Her powers were mirrored in the Greek goddess Artemis, though Diana's origins remained distinctly Italian. Paul-Jean-Baptiste Gasq demonstrated a profound passion for sculpting classical and allegorical subjects, while also creating exquisite portraits in bust, medallion, bas-relief, and statuette form for France's affluent families. Gasq's impressive credentials included winning the inaugural Prix de Rome in 1890 and being elected to the prestigious Institute in 1935.