Diadumene (painting)
Fine ArtOwnership/credit: Purchased from M. Newman Ltd with support from the V&A Purchase Grant Fund and the Sir Harry Veitch Bequest Trust Fund.
Licence: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/
Descriptions
The figure is said to be that of the Venus Esquilina, excavated in Rome in 1874. Although the statue has missing arms, Poynter included them in his painting Diadumenè to show how they might have looked.
Poynter was known for his historical paintings which explore classical or biblical themes and often include female nudes. They brought him wide respect and acclaim as an artist, and towards the end of his career he was appointed director of the National Gallery (1894-1904) and president of the Royal Academy (1896).
However, by the early 20th century Poynter’s art became less relevant to younger artists for whom classical subjects fell out of fashion.
This object is not on display.
Inscription
bottom left monogram EJP 1883
verso stretcher label in ink handwritten Diadumene by Sir E Poynter P.R.A.
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Good afternoon, I am interested in finding more information about Edward Poynter’s painting ‘Diadumene’. There are several versions of this picture and I am trying to identify which one this is as the three versions seem to have been confused in the past – would it be possible to tell me if there are are any labels or information on the reverse of the painting or on the frame please. A photograph of the reverse would be very helpful if possible.