An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Diana as Goddess of the Hunt1607
Artist: Cornelis Cornelisz. van Haarlem
Dutch
portrait of Diana with light brown curly hair in an updo with some loose curls in front, wearing a gold and silver headdress, earrings with clear drops and an armlet with a large green gem and pearls; figure is bare-breasted and wears a pinkish-red garment and holds a spear on a staff with a pinkish-red tassel
26 × 19 7/16 in. (66.04 × 49.37 cm) (sight)
39 1/8 × 32 1/2 × 1 1/4 in. (99.38 × 82.55 × 3.18 cm) (outer frame)
Oil on panel
Painting
Netherlands
17th century
The Ethel Morrison Van Derlip Fund and the Walter H. and Valborg P. Ude Memorial Fund
In the year 1607, deep within the vibrant streets of the Dutch Republic, a remarkable piece of art began to flourish—a radiant portrayal of the goddess Diana, standing poised as the fierce huntress. There she is, resplendent and aspirational, a beacon of proud feminine beauty painted by an artist who deftly grasped the rich visual language of Mannerism.
As you gaze upon Diana, adorned with a crescent-moon tiara that glimmers softly like silver light against the canvas, you can almost feel the cool breeze of the forest around her. The delicate jewelry draping her form catches not only the eye, but whispers stories of power and elegance. Clutched in her hand is a spear, an emblem of strength that hints at the adventures escaping into the shadows of the trees.
Yet, there is something intriguingly artificial about her stance. The artist, with intent precision, has orchestrated her pose, twisting her body in such a way that it teeters on the edge of realism but hovers delightfully in the realm of the unnatural. This deliberate tension captures your attention, drawing you deeper into the composition.
You notice the striking relationship between her head and her body. The way her gaze reaches forward while her figure twists sideways creates a harmony that feels both satisfying and puzzling. It’s almost as if her mind is advancing into the future, while her body remains anchored in a timeless pose, transcending anatomical norms.
Here, in this moment, the spirit of Diana leaps forth, inviting you into a world where beauty defies rigidity and power dances along the edges of grace. A narrative unfolds from every brushstroke, revealing the artist's mastery, and reminding us that, much like Diana, we too are creatures of strength, poised amidst the delicate balancing act of our own lives.
About the artist
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