Diana by Augustus Saint-Gaudens

This is a bronze statue of Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt. She stands on one foot, drawing her bow, ready to shoot. The sculptor made her look strong and graceful.

What do you see?

You see a tall, slender woman made of bronze. She is standing on her left foot, with her right foot lifted behind her. Her arms are stretched out, holding a bow and arrow. She wears a short dress and has a quiver of arrows on her back. Her hair is tied up. The statue is shiny and greenish-brown.

Look closely

Look at her pose. Why do you think the sculptor chose to show her balancing on one foot?
Notice the bow and arrow. What do they tell you about Diana?
Look at the way her dress folds. Does it look like real fabric or stiff metal?
Can you see the details in her face? What expression does she have?
Imagine the statue on top of a tall building. How would it look from far away?

Style and technique

This statue is made of bronze using the lost-wax casting method. The sculptor, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, was part of the Beaux-Arts style. Beaux-Arts artists combined classical ideas with realistic details. The statue shows Diana in a natural, lively pose, but also with the grace of a goddess. The bronze material makes it strong and able to last outdoors.

Feeling

Diana looks powerful and free. She is not afraid. She is ready to shoot her arrow. The statue makes you feel like she is about to move. It also makes you think of the moon and the forest, because Diana was the goddess of the hunt and the moon.

Connections

Try this

Draw a picture of Diana in a different pose. What would she be doing?
Find another statue of a goddess or god. How is it similar or different?
Imagine you are a sculptor. What material would you use to make a statue?

Next to find

Find another bronze statue by Augustus Saint-Gaudens.
Look for a statue that was originally placed on top of a building.
Find an artwork that shows a mythological figure from a different culture.

奥古斯特·圣高登斯的狄安娜

这是一尊青铜雕像，描绘的是罗马狩猎女神狄安娜。她单脚站立，拉弓欲射。雕塑家让她看起来既强壮又优雅。

你看到了什么？

你看到一个高挑纤细的青铜女子。她左脚站立，右脚向后抬起。双臂伸展，手持弓箭。她穿着短裙，背上有一个箭筒。头发束起。雕像呈闪亮的绿褐色。

仔细看

看她的姿势。为什么雕塑家选择让她单脚平衡？
注意弓箭。它们告诉你关于狄安娜的什么？
看她的衣褶。看起来像真的布料还是坚硬的金属？
你能看到她脸上的细节吗？她是什么表情？
想象雕像在高楼顶上。从远处看会是什么样子？

风格与技法

这座雕像采用失蜡法用青铜制成。雕塑家奥古斯特·圣高登斯属于布杂艺术风格。布杂艺术家将古典理念与写实细节相结合。雕像以自然生动的姿态展现狄安娜，同时带有女神般的优雅。青铜材料使其坚固耐用，适合户外放置。

感受

狄安娜看起来强大而自由。她无所畏惧。她准备射箭。雕像让你感觉她即将移动。它也让你想起月亮和森林，因为狄安娜是狩猎和月亮女神。

Diana by Augustus Saint-Gaudens奥古斯特·圣高登斯的狄安娜