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Diana Fountain

Diana Fountain, also called the Le Doyen Fountain, stands in the southern part of the Champs-Élysées gardens in Paris, near the Ledoyen restaurant and Place de la Concorde in the 8th arrondissement. Its circular basin, shell-decorated pedestal, and supporting basin with dolphins and lion heads match the other fountains installed in the gardens by Jacques Hittorff. Only the upper section differs, crowned by a sculpture of Diana the Huntress by Louis Desprez, a Prix de Rome winner in 1826. Diana, shown standing on a clump of reeds with her torso bare, lifts her dress above a bronze octagonal pedestal decorated with dolphins and foliage.

A classical draped female statue stands atop the Diana Fountain as water flows into a stone basin, with trees in the background.
The Diana Fountain features a classical female statue rising above a tiered fountain basin in a landscaped garden.
July 2008 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Diana Fountain with a robed female figure atop a multi-tiered stone and metal monument on a grassy lawn.
The Diana Fountain rises on a lawn, with a robed female figure crowning the ornate multi-tiered structure.
October 2011 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Diana Fountain seen from behind beside a stone basin and circular pool, surrounded by trees and greenery.
Diana Fountain in a park setting, with water flowing into a circular stone pool beneath mature trees.
July 2019 © · CC BY-SA 4.0
Diana Fountain in a grassy garden with autumn leaves and tall trees behind it.
Diana Fountain stands on a lawn surrounded by fall foliage in Paris.
November 2011 © · CC BY-SA 3.0
Weathered Diana Fountain statue seen from below against dense green foliage.
The Diana Fountain statue is shown from a low angle beneath the trees.
November 2011 © · CC BY-SA 3.0

Identification

NameFontaine de Diane
Alternative nameFontaine Le Doyen
TypeFountain sculpture

Historical context

Date1840
ContextBuilt shortly after Hittorff finished the fountains of the Place de la Concorde
Style contextIts proportions and forms reflect the works produced during the Restoration and the July Monarchy

Creator

DesignerJacques Hittorff
Sculptor of DianaLouis Desprez
Sculptor's distinctionPrix de Rome winner in 1826

Discovery and provenance

Commissioned/installed byJacques Hittorff

Location and ownership

Part of setOne of four fountains installed in the gardens of the Champs-Élysées
Current locationSouthern part of the Jardin des Champs-Élysées, Paris 8th arrondissement, near the Ledoyen restaurant and Place de la Concorde

Physical characteristics

Central figureDiana the Huntress
Figure poseDiana stands on a tuft of reeds, bare-chested, lifting her dress
PedestalOctagonal bronze pedestal
BasinLarge stone basin
Shared design elementsThe circular basin, shell decoration, pedestal, dolphins, and lion-head spouts are identical to the other three fountains; only the upper parts differ

Iconography and meaning

SubjectDiana

Materials

MaterialsBronze and stone

Appearance

Pedestal decorationDecorated with four dolphins and leaves
Basin decorationDecorated with twelve mascarons in the form of lion heads, with ovolos, interlacing patterns, and foliage
Other decorative motifsShell decoration, palm leaves, dolphins, lion heads, ovolos, interlace, foliage, reeds

History and restoration

Water featureWater springs at Diana's feet, falls from the basin into the main pond, and also flows as a silent fine jet