The crown with pearl braid that adorns the head of this large, standing sculpture identifies her as a Roman goddess who played an important role in the lives of mortals. The youthful long hair, powerful build, and strong arms suggest Diana, goddess of the hunt.

Like many marble Roman statues, this one was made in the likeness of an earlier work, a Greek bronze, probably of the 5th century BC. Her broken arms once held attributes that would clearly identify her and the role she played. Diana, for example, often carried her bow in one hand and a fawn in the other. Such a statue would have been placed in a temple, an imperial palace, or a garden.