Plate 99: Artemis, known as the Diana of Versailles - Jan de Bisschop

A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Jan de Bisschop, documenting the classical Diana of Versailles sculpture with precise line work.

This etching by Jan de Bisschop depicts the celebrated Roman marble sculpture known as the Diana of Versailles. De Bisschop, a Dutch lawyer and amateur artist, produced this work as part of his influential publication, 'Signorum Veterum Icones', which documented classical statues for the benefit of artists and collectors in the seventeenth century. The print captures the goddess Artemis in a dynamic, forward-striding pose, accompanied by a small deer. Her right hand reaches back to draw an arrow from the quiver slung across her shoulder, while her left hand rests gently upon the head of the animal.

The artist employs a refined etching technique, using fine, parallel lines to model the form of the figure and the folds of her chiton. The background is rendered with subtle, diagonal hatching, which creates a sense of depth and isolates the statue from its surroundings. This approach reflects the period's interest in the study of classical form and the dissemination of antique aesthetics through print media. The composition is balanced and clear, prioritising the anatomical accuracy and the graceful movement of the original sculpture.

De Bisschop's work is notable for its technical precision and its role in the transmission of classical knowledge during the Dutch Golden Age. By translating three-dimensional marble into two-dimensional line work, he provides a clear, analytical view of the sculpture's proportions and posture. The inclusion of the plate number and the artist's monogram, 'J.d.B.', indicates its origin within a larger, systematic catalogue of antiquities. This print offers a direct connection to the historical practice of recording and studying classical art, providing a clean, academic aesthetic suitable for a study or library setting.