Although the statue is usually thought of as Diana, the goddess of Light, it can actually also be seen as Selene, the goddess of the the moon.
According to the traditional image, the goddess is depicted descending to the ground with her cloak raised above her head.
In the Pompeii frescoes, the goddess appearing before her beloved Endymion seems to be a well-known classic scene.
The torch in the statue's right hand was added during recent restorations.