Apollo
Statuette
16th century (made)
16th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This figure of Apollo is based on an antique prototype.
Apollo is one of the twelve gods of Olympus and the embodiment of the classical Greek spirit, representing the rational and the civilised. In Greek mythology he was the son of Zeus and Leto and the twin-brother of Artemis (Diana).
In classical sculpture he represents the ideal form of male physical beauty (as Venus for female) and is portrayed young, beardless, with long hair and rather feminine features. His attributes were varied: bow, arrow, quiver (for his patron of archery), the lyre (patron of poetry and music), a four-horse chariot (for the sun god), a snake (for his victory over Python) and more.
Apollo is one of the twelve gods of Olympus and the embodiment of the classical Greek spirit, representing the rational and the civilised. In Greek mythology he was the son of Zeus and Leto and the twin-brother of Artemis (Diana).
In classical sculpture he represents the ideal form of male physical beauty (as Venus for female) and is portrayed young, beardless, with long hair and rather feminine features. His attributes were varied: bow, arrow, quiver (for his patron of archery), the lyre (patron of poetry and music), a four-horse chariot (for the sun god), a snake (for his victory over Python) and more.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Apollo (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Bronze |
| Brief description | Statuette, bronze, of Apollo with lyre, after an antique original, Italy, 16th century |
| Physical description | Bronze statuette of Apollo, after the antique. Standing, naked, his right foot crossed over his left; holding out a lyre in his left hand and resting his right on a tree trunk on which his quiver is suspended. The head of effeminate type with elaborately dressed hair falling in two curls over the shoulders. On a thin oval base, partly cut away. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Salting Bequest |
| Object history | From the Salting bequest. |
| Production | After the antique |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This figure of Apollo is based on an antique prototype. Apollo is one of the twelve gods of Olympus and the embodiment of the classical Greek spirit, representing the rational and the civilised. In Greek mythology he was the son of Zeus and Leto and the twin-brother of Artemis (Diana). In classical sculpture he represents the ideal form of male physical beauty (as Venus for female) and is portrayed young, beardless, with long hair and rather feminine features. His attributes were varied: bow, arrow, quiver (for his patron of archery), the lyre (patron of poetry and music), a four-horse chariot (for the sun god), a snake (for his victory over Python) and more. |
| Bibliographic reference | 'Salting Bequest (A. 70 to A. 1029-1910) / Murray Bequest (A. 1030 to A. 1096-1910)'. In: List of Works of Art Acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (Department of Architecture and Sculpture). London: Printed under the Authority of his Majesty's Stationery Office, by Eyre and Spottiswoode, Limited, East Harding Street, EC, p. 12 |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.139-1910 |
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| Record created | October 22, 2004 |
| Record URL |
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