Year: 2006
Type: article
Abstract: On the CoverTo reflect on the award winners honored in this issue of the American Psychologist is to be reminded of their intelligence, strength of character, perseverance, and considerable abilities and talent.The owner of the statue whose image is on the cover of this issue exhibited all of these qualities.Possessed of regal bearing and wholesome, midwestern good looks, Marjorie Merriweather Post, heir to the Post cereal fortune, was an important patroness of the arts and an interesting figure in American history.The statue of the goddess Diana on the cover of this issue graces Marjorie Merriweather Post's French parterre garden at Hillwood, her 25-acre estate in Washington, DC.By virtue of the statue's placement at the far end of the garden from the house and against a background of evergreen hemlocks, Diana appears to be emerging from the forest after returning from the hunt.She is twisting to push back a lock of errant hair, her garments flowing along her body contours as she reenters society after a romp with her hound.In Roman mythology, Diana was a virgin goddess associated with woods, wild animals, and the hunt.The Romans adopted many of the Greek gods and goddesses as well as their myths; thus the Greek Artemis became the Roman Diana.She was also a moon goddess, eventually supplanting Luna.In addition to her hunting ability, Diana was known for her beauty, athletic skill, and grace.Diana was revered by slaves since they could receive sanctuary in her temples.The statue of Diana on the cover is a terra-cotta replica of an 18th century statue by Antoine Coysevox (1640 -1720).The original marble statue is currently at the Louvre Museum in Paris.The statue is a portrait of Marie Adelaide of Savoy, Duchess of Bourgogne and daughter in law of King Louis XIV of France.Diana stands in midstride with her right foot forward.Her dog is on her right, standing on its hind legs and resting its paws on her leg.Diana seems to absentmindedly reach to pat the dog on its head while straightening up her hair.She wears a Roman toga-like outfit, and a crescent moon in her hair is a reference to her association with Luna.The French parterre garden at Hillwood is typical of a formal residential garden of 18th century France.Hillwood's parterre is an outdoor extension of the French drawing room, and Mrs. Post's bedroom and dressing room are just above the drawing room.The view from the windows is of the statue at the end of the garden, so Mrs. Post could easily see Diana each morning as she began her day.A few parallels may be seen between Diana and Mrs. Post.Diana divided her time between the Roman Pantheon and her woodland realm.Mrs. Post was certainly a prom-
Source: American Psychologist
Language: English
Subfield: History
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4256246182