"Diana’s Mirror"

gelatin silver print (lithobrome) on cardboard

signed (pencil) on mount recto, artist's label with title and technique on mount verso

Diana's Mirror or the sanctuary of Diana Nemorensis at Lake Nemi is located a little southeast of Rome. The center of the sanctuary was an oak tree dedicated to the goddess Diana (equated to the Greek goddess Artemis), which was guarded by a priest-king, the rex nemorensis. The latter was a runaway slave who guarded the tree day and night. He held his office until another runaway succeeded in killing him, breaking a branch from the oak and thus taking over this dangerous office in his turn. Presumably this cult, unusual for Christians, dates from prehistoric times.
Whether Blumann actually made this recording in Italy, however, is to be doubted. It is more likely a photograph from California, where Blumann liked to spend time in nature, also for photography. Perhaps the artist wanted to allude with the title to the art historical motif of Diana, who is surprised during her bath.
(Christoph Fuchs)