.

1616/17

Oil on canvas, 225 x 320 cm

Galleria Borghese, Rome

Pictures of Diana in hunting scenes are often delightful, and present the goddess in one of her most interesting aspects. There is a celebrated picture by Domenichino in the Villa Borghese in Rome, representing a sort of target-practice scene, a contest between the nymphs of Diana in skill with the bow. The scene is in a meadow; there are some bushes here and there. In a little pool in the foreground some of the nymphs are seen bathing, while another is restraining a fine hound who sees some observing intruders in the bushes at the right. On a slight eminence Diana herself stands, cheering on the contest of skill, her hands above her head, holding her bow and empty quiver high, while she shouts encouragement to her followers. The archers are ranged at the left, some kneeling and some standing. These girls are all in the act of shooting or setting arrows to their bows. One of them has just shot a bird, which comes hurtling down through the air. The arrow of another is stuck fast in the top of a twig. The attitude of surprise and delight exhibited by a child at Diana's left is charmingly portrayed. In the background are seen two nymphs carrying a dead stag slung on a pole; others are running a race. The figure of Diana is not tall enough, or sufficiently imposing, to do justice to her character; but the whole scene is as sylvan and as glad as one of Correggio's conceits. Domenichino is unlike Guido, for he is more earnest and natural. The little nymphs bathing and sporting with Diana are charmingly girlish and arch, if a trifle vulgar and rustic. Morelli says that this picture is worthy of a purer period of art. He considers it equally deserving of popularity with Guide's Aurora. Julia de Wolf Addison

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