Lot 84: Henri Weigele , French 1858-1927 DIANA white carrara marble, gilt-bronze and green marble

signed H. Weigele white carrara marble, gilt-bronze and green marble

measurements height 33 1/2 in. alternate measurements 85 cm

Born in Schierbach, Haut-Rhin, Weigele studied under Jules Francheschi (himself a pupil of Francois Rude). He became a member of the Societaire des Artistes Francais in 1902 and subsequently exhibited at the Salon. Weigele specialized in busts in a combination of marble and gilt bronze such as his bust of Athena, a version of which is in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, while its companion Diana is on display at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Weigele produced a number of variant models of Diana. One example, which depicts the goddess looking to her right, as in the present pose, was sold in these rooms as lot 83 on November 26, 1996 and uses his typical combination of marble and gilt bronze. Diana, sister to Apollo, was initially known as the protector of wildlife. Later she was known as the moon goddess, Luna, always gracefully depicted wearing a crescent moon as a headdress.