Rustende Diana met honden 1638

Michel Dorigny etched this Resting Diana with Hounds, a print, in 1650. Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, rests with her hunting dog beside her. A symbol of chastity and the moon, Diana's presence in art is a fascinating case study in cultural memory. The motif of the resting goddess can be traced back to ancient sculptures of Venus, a testament to the Renaissance fascination with classical antiquity. But the symbolism doesn't stop there. The figure of Diana, often depicted with her bow and arrow, has echoes in earlier depictions of Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt. She is a powerful representation of the divine feminine. Consider how these archetypes resurface and evolve, reflecting collective desires and cultural values across time. This isn't merely a linear progression; it's a cyclical return, a perpetual negotiation with the past.