. APOLLO

Apollo Belvedere, 2nd century CE (Roman copy of a 4th-century BCE Greek original by Leochares), The Vatican Museums, Rome, marble.

Wanqi Dong (Maggie)

Apollo Belvedere is one of the most famous sculptures in classical art, which is a masterpiece that reflects beauty, divinity, and heroism. This sculpture is not only a representation of the god Apollo but also a synthesis of its divine nature and cultural significance. As shown in the Greek myth that we learned in class, Apollo is a complex god who controls music, poems, prophecy, healing, and retribution. (La Fond) Apollo Belvedere integrates these conflicted aspects and depicts him as both an elegant musician and a strong archer. Through the research and connection with the lectures, Apollo Belvedere is not only an artwork but also evidence of the lasting power of classical myth and art.

Moreover, Apollo Belvedere has a lasting influence on Western art for many reasons. (Bradley) It reflects the balance between elegance and power. Compared with Zeus who used thunder to show his dominant position and Ares who showed his aggression, Apollo’s power is controllable and refined. His posture represents that he does not have tense movement, but like he just releases an arrow or completes the divine act. He did not need to prove his power but only existed in a perfect mystery. This reflects Greek people’s restraint idealism, the real power is not brute force but measured action and balance.

Also, the balance of control and power reflects why Apollo is both admired and feared as we discussed in class, even the god of Olympus admires him and stands up when he enters their halls. (La Fond) Apollo Belvedere also reflects this kind of position. Apollo does not need to show his physical force, his presence represents power, intelligence, and authority. This kind of depiction may reflect the Greek ideals, in which beauty is based on moral and intellectual superiority.

Furthermore, the myth of Apollo is full of contrasts. Specifically, Apollo is both a healer but a bringer of plague, and a god of poetry but an archer who can strike down the enemy. Apollo Belvedere captures this paradox perfectly. One of the most attractive elements is the sense of movement and control. This sculpture appears in a contrapposto posture, but his weight shifts to one leg which creates a relaxed but powerful posture. (Bradley) This kind of energy and control also parallels his myth, especially the story of Delphi where he killed Python to build his oracle. This is not an unnecessary violence but a divine order that brings the truth in the chaos. (La Fond)

Besides the myth and the artistic symbolism, this sculpture encourages interaction with the audience. To be detailed, Apollo turns and moves out to a more open space and attracts us to see other figures that may be an animal as a hunt or human figures. (Wilcox Classical Museum) This kind of expression creates a sense of openness and lets the audience expect other things outside the sculpture. This dynamic interaction between sculpture and space shows the creation of art in classical Greek and Roman sculpture.

In conclusion, Apollo Belvedere is a masterpiece that embodies the divine complexity and the Greek people’s balanced idealism of Apollo. It is not only the image of Apollo but also captures its nature that he is a god that combines power, intellect, and harmony.

Zhiyuan Liu (Vanessa)

In this exhibit, we shift our focus to the marble sculpture of the Greek god Apollo, created by the Greek sculptor Leochares (c. 330–320 B.C.). The Apollo Belvedere was first discovered in Rome in 1489 and is now housed in the Cortile del Belvedere of the Vatican Museum in Vatican City. For centuries, the Apollo Belvedere has been a classic representation of Greek beauty ideals and divine perfection. This marble statue is one of the most significant artistic representations of Apollo. This essay will guide you in exploring and understanding the Apollo Belvedere through the historical legacy behind its creation, connecting Greek mythology with modern-day interpretations.

The sculpture of the Apollo Belvedere is believed to be a second-century Roman marble copy of a lost Greek bronze. After it was found in ruins, it was housed in the private collection of Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere (later Pope Julius II, r. 1503–13) during the Renaissance due to its fame (Raimondi). From 1509 to 1511, the sculpture was moved to the Cortile del Belvedere in the Vatican, from which it takes its name. In the statue, Apollo stands facing frontally, as if he has just released an arrow. A quiver rests on his right shoulder, emphasizing his identity as an archer. When the statue was first discovered, the lower part of his right arm and part of his left hand were missing. The art historian Johann Joachim Winckelmann described the Apollo Belvedere as the highest ideal of Greek art (Winckelmann 333–334). Due to its early recognition, the Apollo Belvedere has significantly influenced many renowned artists and some of the most famous artworks since its discovery in the late 15th or early 16th century. However, modern scholars debate whether the sculpture's artistic presentation and context align with specific mythological narratives (Morford et al. 266).

Although the Apollo Belvedere does not imply a specific mythological event, some of its features connect to Apollo’s mythological descriptions. Apollo is the god of prophecy, music, poetry, healing, and assemblies. Apollo is also an archer, in the myth description, he uses his archery to send plague. In the sculpture, Apollo’s left hand originally held a bow, reinforcing his identity as an archer god. In the Homeric Hymn to Apollo, he is portrayed as a powerful figure who causes the gods to tremble. In his victory over Python, Apollo used his bow as seen in the statue to establish his prophetic domain and the Oracle at Delphi (La Fond). The sculpture captures Apollo’s confident stance and divine authority, which align with mythological descriptions of his power.

From both a historical and mythological perspective, although the Apollo Belvedere is not directly tied to a specific mythological scene, it allows the audience to interpret and connect the sculpture with their own understanding of Apollo. While Apollo’s mythological narratives often involve action and battle, his artistic representations, such as the Apollo Belvedere and the Apollo of Olympia, portray him as calm and still as if he is detached and bestriding to the world (Morford et al. 266). Through historical analysis and mythological connections, the Apollo Belvedere is not only a symbol of Greek beauty ideals but also a representation of Apollo’s divine presence in both ancient and modern contexts. The sculpture has influenced the creation of many later works and continues to allow viewers to appreciate its beauty through their own unique perspectives.

Works Cited

Bradley, Author Trace. “Apollo Belvedere at the Vatican Museums - Top 8 Facts.” Art Facts, 5 Nov. 2022, art-facts.com/apollo-belvedere-facts/. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.

La Fond, Marie. "Bows, Beats, Bearing Prophecies: Apollo." Greek and Roman Myth. University of Washington, June 2021, https://canvas.uw.edu/courses/1782337/pages/lesson-4-video-lectures?module_item_id=22454084. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.

Morford, Mark, et al. Classical Mythology. Available from: Oxford University Press, (12th Edition). Oxford University Press Academic US, 2023.

Raimondi, Marcantonio. Marcantonio Raimondi: The Apollo Belvedere from the Vatican His Left Hand Resting on the Tree Trunk around Which Coils a Python. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/342605. Accessed 18 Feb. 2025.

Wilcox Classical Museum. “Apollo Belvedere”. Wilcox Classical Museum, University of Kansas, wilcox.ku.edu/s/wilcox/item/11600. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.

Winckelmann, Johann Joachim. History of the Art of Antiquity. Translated by Harry Francis Mallgrave, Getty Research Institute, 2006.