Diane de Poitiers as Diana - Abraham Bloteling

A detailed seventeenth-century engraving by Abraham Bloteling depicting Diane de Poitiers as the Roman goddess Diana, complete with her hunting hound.

This print by Abraham Bloteling depicts Diane de Poitiers, the influential mistress of King Henry II of France, portrayed in the guise of Diana, the Roman goddess of the hunt. Bloteling, a Dutch engraver known for his technical precision, employs a combination of etching and engraving to capture the textures of the subject's drapery and the subtle modelling of her features. The figure is shown in a three-quarter view, holding a spear aloft with her right hand while her left hand gestures outwards. A hound, a traditional attribute of the goddess, stands at her side, looking up towards her. The composition is set against a suggestion of a wooded environment, typical of the allegorical portraiture popular in the seventeenth century.

The print includes a Latin inscription at the base, which provides a classical framing for the subject. Bloteling's mastery of line and shadow allows for a clear distinction between the soft fabric of the gown and the more rigid elements of the huntress's gear. The crescent moon ornament in her hair serves as a further iconographic marker of her divine persona. This work reflects the period's interest in classical mythology as a means to elevate the status of historical figures through visual metaphor. The print demonstrates the high level of craftsmanship associated with Dutch printmaking during this era, where the balance between tonal depth and linear clarity was a primary concern for the artist. The work remains a clear example of the intersection between historical portraiture and mythological allegory, rendered with the technical rigour characteristic of Bloteling's output.