Diana

Augustus Saint-Gaudens

1893–94, cast 1894 or after · Bronze · The American Wing

From its lofty perch on Madison Square Garden’s tower, the resplendent gilded Diana enjoyed iconic status on the New York City skyline from 1892 to 1925. Saint-Gaudens capitalized on its fame by issuing three variant reductions; in this second version, the lithe goddess, about to release her arrow, is poised atop a full orb on a two-tiered base (a monumental version is on view in the Charles Engelhard Court of the American Wing; acc. no. 28.101). The lustrous patina was achieved by electro-plating a mixture of gold, copper, and zinc to the bronze surface.

Artist

Augustus Saint-Gaudens

Date

1893–94, cast 1894 or after

Medium

Bronze

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Lincoln Kirstein, 1985