Diana with a Hound 1603 - 1611

This bronze statuette of Diana with a Hound was made by Barthélemy Prieur, a French sculptor who died in 1611. Diana was the Roman goddess of the hunt and nature, and the figures are rendered in a classical style, reminiscent of ancient Greek and Roman sculpture. This aesthetic harkened back to a time of empires, power and influence. As such, it was a popular style for European royalty interested in conveying status and authority. Prieur was a court sculptor, first to Henri IV and later to his widow, Marie de Medici. In this context, the statuette can be seen as an expression of royal power and cultural sophistication. Understanding the social and institutional context of art is key to understanding its meaning. We can research the history of the French court, the patronage system, and the classical revival in order to gain a deeper appreciation for the statuette.