Portrait of a Lady with a Hairpin in the Form of an Arrow ~ 1840-1860
Oil on canvas, 45.3 x 36.9 cm ~ Collection: The Bowes Museum
Artemis was one of the 12 gods and goddesses of Olympus. The familiar virgin huntress of the Greeks adopted the Latin name of Diana in Roman Mythology. The Roman goddess Diana was worshiped as triple deity, Luna (the sky), Diana (the Earth), Hecate (the underworld). Diana the huntress was depicted running through the forest, pursuing a stag with bow and quiver. Diana became a popular vehicle for female portraiture. In this painting a woman is depicted with one of Diana’s attributes an arrow, which represented her as the huntress.
Via: BBC Art