Diana 1910

Karl Theodore Bitter made this sculpture of Diana out of bronze; she stands at just under 20 inches tall. I think of Bitter, in his studio, the smell of metal and the feel of the tools in his hands. She's poised, still, but she could spring into action at any moment. She’s the goddess of the hunt, right? I mean, that bow isn’t just for show. The bronze is dark, almost like she’s been out in the woods, camouflaged in the shadows. Her body is smooth and strong. You can see the muscles in her legs, the curve of her back. I keep thinking about how he made her, how he built her up layer by layer, how he must have really looked, really seen her. I wonder if he felt like he was channeling some ancient power, some wild energy. It’s like she’s always been there, waiting to be released. And now she’s here, a reminder of the strength and beauty that exists in all of us.