Studie van een staande Diana met pijlenkoker, toorts en hazewindhond, voor een tuinbeeld. c. 1725

Ignatius van Logteren rendered this terracotta study of Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt, sometime in the early 18th century. Logteren lived in an era defined by Dutch engagement with classical antiquity. As an artist, his social standing afforded him opportunities to interpret classical themes through a Baroque lens. Here, Diana is presented with her traditional attributes: a quiver of arrows, a torch, and a greyhound, each symbolizing different aspects of her identity. Yet, this study transcends mere representation. Diana, typically depicted as an empowered, virginal figure, is presented in a more vulnerable form, partially draped, creating an atmosphere of restrained sensuality. The absence of a head forces us to consider the social expectations and constraints placed on women, even goddesses, during the artist’s time. This statue invites reflection on the narratives we construct around femininity, power, and vulnerability. Diana's story continues to evolve, shaped by our own perspectives and experiences.