Apollo Belvedere

Name: Apollo Belvedere

Date: a copy. The original dates from 350-325 BC

Location: The Vatican Museums

Approximate Dimensions: 2.24 m

Sculptor: Leochares (the original)

Medium: white marble

Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Belvedere

Picture taken by: Chris Carter

Significance of the work:

This sculpture shows Apollo just after he has slain the serpent, Python, who guards Delphi. This can be shown in how he is holding himself. In his upraised left hand is the remaining portion of a bow. Slung around his side is a quiver of arrows. Also, his muscles are still formed in such a way that it shows the effort he had put into shooting the arrow. Upon his head lays a strophium, the symbolic band of kings and gods. Finally, a tree stump is directly behind his right leg. This is a common feature of Apollo sculptures. Overall, this piece holds to the standard depiction of Apollo. In fact, it is one of the most famous depictions of the god. It has inspired other art works such as Albrecht Duerer’s 1504 engraving Adam and Eve