This gallery includes many sculptures, paintings, and other mediums of the representations of the Greek God Apollo. Apollo is the God of sun, music, art, poetry, and prophecy.
Apollo, John Cheere, 1755 -, From the collection of: National Palace of Queluz
With exact proportions and symmetry, Apollo appears life like in both size and consistency. In conjunction with the seemingly flowing motion of his hair and garment, it feels as if he could come to life at any moment. All these elements together make even a lead statue feel human.
Apollo and Daphne, attributed to James Jefferys, 1751–1784, British, formerly attributed to Prince Hoare, 1755–1834, British, Master of the Giants, active 1779, British, between 1770 and 1799, From the collection of: Yale Center for British Art
This ink drawing of Apollo and Daphne is done with heavy shading and contrast. The contrast in the picture not only directs your attention, but it also helps tell the story. Apollo and Daphne really stand out as the brighter figures. Their almost white appearance makes them synonymous with good, while the dark clouds and fog along with the figure in the background are portrayed as villainous dark characters.
This miniature statue of Apollo shows him in the typical style, with flowing curly hair and wrapped in a lose flowing garment. And while his body is proportionally correct we can see that the artist needed to place his foot up onto a brick to distribute the weight and allow the statue to be freestanding.
Apollo and Diana Attacking the Children of Niobe, Jacques-Louis David, 1772, From the collection of: Dallas Museum of Art
In contrast to how you normally see the God of music displayed, this painting shows him in the violent act of killing off Niobe’s children. While his is still portrayed in all white and a whimsical flowing garment, he is surround by fallen children who have died by his arrow.
Apollo, Artus Quellinus, 1651, From the collection of: Royal Palace Amsterdam
This high relief sculpture shows a typical portrayal of Apollo in a free flowing garment around his waist and curly hair. However this time, the artist chose to fill in the space around him with symbolism associated with Apollo’s name. He is also placed by similar works of his father and sister. This creates an over all story of these gods and goddess and how they interact.
Apollo, Burch, Edward (English, 1730-1814), Designer, 1777 - 1860, From the collection of: Corning Museum of Glass
While the artist only had limited space to work with he still managed to get in a fair amount of detail on Apollo’s most telling feature; his curly hair. You also see his instrument in the bottom of the gem verifying that this piece is of Apollo the God of music and art.
Apollo served by the Nymphs, François Girardon and Thomas Regnaudin, 1666 - 1675, From the collection of: Palace of Versailles
The massive space used by this sculpture immediately draws your attention. In its original space it was actually designed to be one of three pieces all featuring Apollo. This particular piece is composed to make all seven figures interact together to tell a story, one where Apollo is front and center.
This neoclassical version of Apollo is a very simple in design. There is not much detail except, of course, in the curls of his hair. Unlike the usual depiction with the garment around his waist, here we see it draped in his hand and he is left nude beside it.
Apollo and the Muses, Claude Lorrain (Claude Gellée), 1674, From the collection of: The J. Paul Getty Museum
The shading in this drawing allow for Apollo and the muses to stand out against the subtle background. They are also placed across the entire bottom of the picture, creating a balance that is very pleasing to the viewer’s eye. Together these elements create different layers, engaging the viewer through the whole picture.
Apollo and Diana, Lucas Cranach the Elder, 1525 - 1527, From the collection of: Royal Collection Trust, UK
Contrasting with the light and bright colors of the background, we find our main characters in the foreground of this painting, shown in darker colors. Cranach even uses a darker color for Apollo the Sun god and a lighter, almost white, color for the skin of Diana; the moon goddess.
Credits: All media
This user gallery has been created by an independent third party and may not represent the views of the institutions whose collections include the featured works or of Google Arts & Culture.
