Provenance: Former collection belonging to an art merchant, USA. Sold by Sotheby’s NY, Antiquities and

Islamic Art, 1–2 March 1984, lot 73. Then former collection belonging to explorer and adventurer J.

Stephen Fossett, acquired in London 21 October 1986. Sold by Hindman, Wordly Pursuits.The Estate of Steve and Peggy Fossett, 30 October 2018, lot 22. 

The goddess of the hunt is depicted in walking motion accompanied by her hunting dog at her left side, her left leg in forward stride, shod in elaborately-laced sandals, her right extended behind, her quiver over her right shoulder, her short, sleeveless chiton with overfold, bound up in a billowing sash tied over her shoulder and around her waist, the diaphanous fabric revealing the form of her body, her gaze directed toward her left, her right arm originally raised to remove an arrow from her quiver, her now-missing left arm once holding her bow. She has a low bun in her hair with locks forming a knot atop her head – a characteristic hairstyle in Roman of the 2nd century A.D. The energy of the sculpture resides in the fluidity of the mantle, with the himation giving the impression of being lifted by the wind. The folds are delicately sculpted, giving glimpses of the curves of her body. The face shows a great deal of finesse.

The iconography of the type is thought to be based on a Greek original from the end the 4th century BC. Another copy, although featuring later additions and restorations, is currently part of the Capitoline Museum’s collection and came from Villa d’Este in Tivoli (fig. 1). It was purchased by Pope Benedict XIV who subsequently donated it to the Museum.

Roman Art
Marble
c. 2nd Century A.D.
H.: 103 cm. – L.: 40 cm. – W.: 24 cm.

Minor restorations to the nose and chin