19th Century Neoclassical Bronze of Diane De Gabies by Susse Freres

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This elegant bronze statue of Diane de Gabies (Diana of Gabii) is a refined French cast produced by the renowned … Read more This elegant bronze statue of Diane de Gabies (Diana of Gabii) is a refined French cast produced by the renowned foundry Susse Frères, celebrated for translating classical masterpieces into museum-quality bronzes during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Calm, balanced, and quietly powerful, the figure embodies the neoclassical ideal—beauty conveyed through restraint, harmony, and perfect proportion.

The sculpture depicts Diane (Diana), Roman goddess of the hunt, moon, and chastity, shown in a moment of serene introspection. She is captured adjusting her drapery, her head gently inclined and her gesture poised, conveying modesty rather than drama. The softly cascading folds of her garment cling and fall with natural rhythm, revealing the sculptor’s mastery of anatomical understanding beneath the drapery. The bronze surface is finished in a rich, dark patina, enhancing depth and emphasizing the subtle modeling of the figure’s face, limbs, and classical stance.

The subject is based on the celebrated ancient marble known as the Diana of Gabii, discovered near the ancient city of Gabii outside Rome and now housed in the Louvre. Unlike more dynamic portrayals of Diana as huntress, this version presents her as contemplative and humanized—an embodiment of divine grace and intellectual calm. This interpretation became a favorite during the neoclassical revival, prized for its scholarly purity and timeless elegance.

Diane de Gabies: Symbolism and Significance

Diane de Gabies represents idealized femininity, virtue, and self-command. Her restrained pose and inward focus reflect Enlightenment and neoclassical values—reason over excess, harmony over emotion. Such figures were favored in refined European interiors, libraries, and academic collections, where classical mythology conveyed education, taste, and cultural sophistication.

Susse Frères: Masters of French Bronze

Founded in Paris in the early 19th century, Susse Frères was among the most important French art foundries, producing bronzes after both ancient models and contemporary sculptors. The firm was known for exceptional casting quality, precise chasing, and richly nuanced patinas. Susse Frères worked closely with leading museums and artists, ensuring historical accuracy and artistic integrity in their editions.

Bronzes cast by Susse Frères are highly regarded by collectors, as the foundry’s name signifies authenticity, technical excellence, and superior finish. Their classical figures, in particular, are admired for their faithful proportions and sculptural clarity.

This bronze Diane de Gabies by Susse Frères is a timeless statement of neoclassical beauty—scholarly, serene, and impeccably crafted—ideal for collectors of classical sculpture, French bronzes, or interiors seeking understated grandeur and intellectual depth.

Dimensions: 22.75 inches high x 7 inches wide x 6 inches deep See less