Diana with a Bow 1890

Frederick William MacMonnies created this bronze sculpture, Diana with a Bow. The lost wax casting method was most likely used to create this artwork. A mold was made from an original sculpture, and then molten bronze was poured in. Once cooled, the mold would be removed to reveal the bronze cast, and any imperfections would be chased or filed away, and the sculpture would have been polished to a high sheen. Bronze has been used for millennia for its strength and durability, prized for its ability to capture fine details, evident in the goddess's flowing hair, and the curve of her bow. It is also the alloy of choice when creating dynamic artworks, as it offers a sense of gravity and permanence. This artwork, while rooted in classical mythology, also speaks to the industrial age in which it was made. Bronze production became more efficient with industrialization, and sculptors like MacMonnies were able to produce multiples of their works, making them accessible to a wider audience. This sculpture invites us to think about how the industrial revolution has influenced artistic production.