Antique French bronze sculpture after Houdon

Antique French bronze sculpture after Houdon
French, late 19th Century
Height 90cm, width 26cm, depth 44cm
 
This beautiful patinated bronze figure is titled 'Diana Chasseresse', or 'Diana Huntress', and depicts the Roman goddess Diana, goddess of hunting. It replicates an important work of French Neoclassicism in the late 18th Century, by Jean-Antoine Houdon (French, 1741-1828).
 
Houdon debuted a plaster version of this sculpture in 1777, before going on to make several versions in bronze. At the time of being premiered, the sculpture was controversial, since it was only thought proper to depict Diana nude when bathing, and not when hunting.
 
Here the nude Diana is shown, delicately poised and holding a quiver of arrows in her hand. The sculpture is considered one of the finest works of French Neoclassicism, on account of the figure's movement, elegance, proportionality and serenity.
 
This figure measures 90cm (or 35 inches) in height, and is supported by a circular, naturalistic base which is signed 'HOUDON'. The base is also set on a red marble socle, which is mounted with beading and a foliate frieze in gilt bronze.
 
Artist/Maker: Houdon (after)