Sculptuur van Artemis van Efeze in de Capitolijnse Musea te Rome c. 1857 - 1875

James Anderson captured this photograph of the Sculptuur van Artemis van Efeze in the Capitoline Museums, Rome, sometime in the mid-19th century. Anderson, an Italian photographer of British origin, operated in a time when photography was still in its relative infancy. The sculpture depicts Artemis, a Greek goddess associated with the hunt, wilderness, wild animals, the Moon, and chastity. However, this is no ordinary representation. The Ephesian Artemis is adorned with multiple breast-like protrusions, which have led to ongoing debates about their true symbolism. Some believe them to be breasts symbolizing fertility and nourishment, while others argue that they are bull testes, or even dates. This image encapsulates the complexities of interpreting historical and cultural symbols through a modern lens. As we gaze at Anderson's photograph, we are invited to reflect on the ever-evolving dialogue between the past and present, and the layered meanings embedded within cultural objects.