Flemish school; 17th century.

Flemish school; 17th century.
"Diana".
Oil on panel.
It presents fracture in the board and preserves old frame.
Measurements: 64 x 49 cm; 77 x 63 cm (frame).
This painting of the Flemish school of the seventeenth century shows a representation dedicated to the figure of Diana. It is a bust portrait of the goddess, framed in an oval that concentrates the attention in her serene and at the same time imposing presence, characteristic resource of the mythological baroque portrait painting of the north of Europe. The divinity is crowned with a lunar motif, in keeping with her traditional iconography, and holds a bow in her hand, one of her attributes, which can be interpreted as an allusion to her condition as hunter and protector of the forests. Her gaze, raised towards the sky, introduces a symbolic dimension that transcends mere mythological representation: the goddess is presented as an intermediary between the natural world and the divine sphere, embodying the purity, vigilance and harmonious order that are proper to her. The chiaroscuro, worked with the meticulousness that distinguishes the Flemish school, models the features of the face and anatomy with sculptural softness, highlighting the smoothness of the skin and the lightness of the drapery, while conferring an emotional depth to the ascending expression of the figure.
The dark background enveloping the oval serves to isolate Diana from the earthly space, emphasizing her ethereal character and almost visionary presence. The detailed brushstrokes, the precision in the reflections and the chromatic harmony, dominated by sober tones with strategically placed luminous accents, not only reveal the technical virtuosity of the Flemish tradition, but also reinforce the allegorical reading of the work. Overall, the portrait configures a solemn and refined interpretation of the goddess, integrating naturalism and symbolism to express, according to the aesthetic codes of the northern baroque.