Created during the 2nd-century AD Roman period, this marble statue of Artemis in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens reveals the artistic expertise of the time. The life-sized statue presents the huntress goddess Artemis, known as Diana in Roman mythology, in a dynamically posed and detailed manner.
The attire of the figure, featuring detailed draping, illustrates the sculptor's proficiency in texture representation. The draping forms an elaborate series of folds, accompanied by a mantle that extends from the subject's left shoulder to her right arm. These intricate designs draw correlations with the High Classical period, offering insights into the visual culture and sculptural techniques from the Roman era.
The figure embodies a combination of grace and power, her contrapposto posture suggestive of motion and life. The figure's right arm is flexed, implying a state of preparing for an action, concordant with Artemis's hunting background.
Depicted atop a fallen stag, the statue captures a moment after the hunt. Unusually, Artemis is not depicted with her typical hunting bow or arrow-filled quiver, instead drawing viewers' attention to the composed elegance of the goddess.
The treatment of the figure's face presents a calm, contemplative expression. Her realistically depicted hair, arranged in waves and gathered into a chignon-style bun, is matched with a crescent-moon diadem, referencing Artemis's association with the lunar sphere.
