Marble Bust of a Goddess, North Italian circa 1700

North Italian, Veneto, circa 1700
Bust of a classical woman, possibly Diana
Marble, on a variegated grey marble socle
41.5 cm. high / 16 ¼ ins (the bust), 56 cm. / 22 ins high, overall

The present bust is part of a tradition of expressive mythological busts made in the Veneto in the second half of the 17th and early 18th century, in which a clear differentiation is made between the smoothly polished skin and drapery and the rougher rendering of the hair using a claw chisel, particularly at the back of the head.

The sculptor depicts the subject with full cheeks and long, flowing locks of hair, her mouth slightly open and her head raised to sinister in an expression of ecstasy or joy. Her hair is executed in long, flowing strands which are wind-swept and deeply drilled in the Baroque manner.

The classical drapery and ribbon may identify the subject of this bust as Diana, the Roman goddess of hunting and the moon (Artemis to the Greeks), who is typically portrayed with a ribbon or strap securing the quiver for her bow and arrows, as well as a crescent moon (a feature not shown here).

Examples of related busts carved in the Veneto in this manner include a bust of Diana attributed to Michele Fabris, called L’Ongaro (1644-88) (sold at Christie’s, London, 8 Dec 2015, lot 78), exhibiting similarly wind-swept hair and a comparable curl of hair running down her left shoulder. Similar treatment of the hair can also be found in the works of Giovanni Bonazza (1654-1736), a Venetian sculptor who operated a large workshop in Padua from 1697.