Huge Bronze Sculpture - Diana Goddess of the Hunt - signed

Diana, Goddess of the Hunt – Large Bronze – Signed by Edward Francis McCartan

Diana, Goddess of the Hunt, was created in the 1920s in McCartan's New York studio and cast in a renowned foundry on the Lower East Side. The large-scale bronze sculpture, discreetly signed "E. McCartan" on the base, stands 1.26 meters tall and enhances any space with its combination of strength and poise. Diana's figure rises from the luminous patina as if emerging from the misty forests of legend. Her bow is held taut, while her gaze wanders in contemplative tranquility.

From Beginnings in Newark to a Sculptural Legacy

Edward Francis McCartan was born on August 3, 1879, in Newark, New Jersey, at a time when American art was finding its own voice amidst established European traditions. His early talent earned him a scholarship to the Rinehart School of Sculpture in Baltimore, where he learned the fundamentals of modeling and anatomy. He later studied at the Art Students League of New York under George Grey Barnard and Hermon Atkins MacNeil, where he developed the vibrant realism that would become his trademark. Over the course of his career—from the Gilded Age through the Roaring Twenties to the lean years of the Depression—McCartan rose to prominence as one of America's leading sculptors of mythical and allegorical subjects.

Anatomy of the Divine Posture

In this work, Diana embodies both the ethereal grace of the moon goddess and the tense readiness of the huntress. McCartan's rigorous training is reflected in the sculpture's precise anatomy: in the supple curve of her torso, the subtle shifting of weight on her slender legs, the flexed muscles of her outstretched arm. Yet there is no sense of rigidity. Her pose is characterized by vibrant tension—a moment frozen before movement—so that the viewer senses the hidden power behind every line.

The Huntress and Her Companion

At Diana's side stands her faithful deer, rendered with equal care and lifelike presence. The animal's gentle head leans toward the goddess, forming a bond of trust that underscores Diana's dual role as protector of wild animals and ruler of the hunt. McCartan's ability to capture this intimate relationship between goddess and beast elevates the work beyond mere allegory to a moment of mythical reality.

McCartan's Artistry in Bronze

Edward McCartan was an advocate of the lost-wax casting process, believing it best captured the artist's original intent. In this edition, subtle tool marks are preserved in the folds of Diana's dress, while the polished surfaces of her skin glow with warm highlights. The deer's fur features delicate stripes that capture the light in deeper shadows. Through this interplay of texture and tone, the sculpture invites the viewer to explore each surface, discovering ever-changing details.

Diana, Goddess of the Hunt in American Art

While Diana has been depicted by artists since ancient times, McCartan's interpretation is distinguished by its fusion of classical ideals with American modernism. He removed archaic embellishments to reveal a purer, more immediate vision of the goddess—one that visually harmonizes with the clean lines and spirited optimism of 1920s America. Thus, Diana, Goddess of the Hunt, becomes not only a timeless myth but also a symbol of a nation forging its own cultural identity.

A Lasting Tribute to Elegance and Power

Edward Francis McCartan died on December 1, 1947, in East Orange, New Jersey. He left behind a legacy of public monuments, architectural reliefs, and intimate bronzes prized by collectors. Among these, "Diana, Goddess of the Hunt" remains a pinnacle—a work of art that combines technical mastery with poetic depth. As Diana, Goddess of the Hunt and a testament to McCartan's vision, this sculpture continues to captivate with its radiant beauty and mythical resonance.

An Icon Reborn in Bronze

With this magnificent Diana, Goddess of the Hunt, Edward McCartan not only pays tribute to the ancient deity but also underscores the power of bronze to capture the eternal in the living. Her serene elegance, her connection with the deer, and the measured draw of her bow reflect the enduring human desire for strength and grace. A masterpiece of Diana, the goddess of the hunt, and the pinnacle of James Earle Fraser's sculptures—created in the spirit of 20th-century American innovation—this work is a lasting tribute to the art of sculpture.

Wide: 87 cm
High: 126 cm
Depth: 54 cm
Weight: 70 kg
100% Bronze