Diana 1892 - 1928

Augustus Saint-Gaudens made this gilded bronze sculpture of Diana. It lives at the Met. Imagine him, in his studio, coaxing this form out of nothing. What was he thinking as the figure emerged? Did he feel like Pygmalion, bringing a statue to life? There’s a directness here; Diana is caught in a moment of poised action. The texture is smooth, almost slippery, inviting touch but defying it. The gold finish gives it a godly aura. The sculpture's gesture is striking: bow drawn, body tensed, she embodies focus and intention. It makes me think about other artists who have turned to classical mythology for inspiration – Titian, Artemisia Gentileschi. It’s like there’s this ongoing conversation between artists across time. Each adds their own accent to the story. Saint-Gaudens invites us to see more than one story here. There’s room for our own projections, too.