Name/Title
Portrait of Diane de PoitiersContext
Above the mantle in the French Parlor hangs an oil on canvas portrait of a woman depicted as the mythological figure Diana after a hunt. We can recognize her as Diana because of the quiver strap across her chest and the crescent moon pin sprouting from her bouffant. The origin and the subject of this 19th c. portrait are unknown. It is held in a gold-leaf wood frame decorated with a bow and flowing ribbon carving at the top and sides.
Depictions of aristocrats as mythological figures were commonplace by the mid-18th c., such as in Jean-Marc Nattier's "Madame de Pompadour as Diana the Huntress" (1746). Mythological figures represented ideals that aristocrats wish to be associated with. In Rococo style paintings the figure depicted might be lying in a meadow in a state of undress surrounded by cherubs. However, as Rococo gave way to Neoclassical style, such depictions became more serious and respectable.
This painting was gifted to the Neill-Cochran House Museum by Mrs. W. Foster Gillespie. You can see all of our "mythological" artifacts Wed-Sun, 11-4pm.
Unknown origin, nineteenth century. Oil on canvas portrait of a woman in fancy dress as Diana of the hunt. Held in gold-leaf wood frame decorated with bow and flowing ribbon carving on the top and sides.
Gift of Mrs. W. Foster GillespieAcquisition
Accession
1992.01Source or Donor
Mrs. W. Foster Gillespie (Gertrude Miller)Acquisition Method
Gift