BRONZE SCULPTURE, "DIANA THE HUNTRESS", BARBEDIENNE FOUNDRY

A large patinated bronze sculpture of Diana the Huntress, the Roman goddess of the hunt, war, and night. Diana (Artemis to the Greeks), in motion, holds a small stag by its antlers in her left hand and draws an arrow from her quiver, which she carries slung across her back in the other. Diana wears a tunic and sandals, and her wavy hair is tied at the nape of her neck with a diadem. The sculpture bears the stamp "Mechanical Reduction A. Collas" and the signature "F. Barbedienne Fondeur." A Roman marble copy of Diana the Huntress, also known as Diana of Versailles, from the Imperial period (2nd century), is housed in the Louvre Museum. The original Greek bronze sculpture dates from the 4th century BC and is generally attributed to the Athenian sculptor Leochares. The Barbedienne firm, founded in 1834 by Ferdinand Barbedienne (1810-1892), is considered one of the leading bronze art companies in 19th-century France. 19th century, circa 1870. Dimensions: W: 50cm, D: 35cm, H: 80cm. In very good overall condition.