The image shows a male figure standing in a powerful pose with one foot resting on clouds. His head is turned slightly to the side, exhibiting strong facial features with prominent cheekbones and a serious expression. His hair is flowing upwards. The figure is unclothed, revealing a muscular physique, apart from a cape billowing around him. He is holding a long arrow-like object in one raised hand, while the other hand holds part of the cape. The background is filled with swirling clouds and beams of light, and there is an inscription in a circular pattern emanating from his head. In the distance, there is a chariot with horses and figures. The entire image is enclosed in an oval frame.
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The image shows a male figure standing in a powerful pose with one foot resting on clouds. His head is turned slightly to the side, exhibiting strong facial features with prominent cheekbones and a serious expression. His hair is flowing upwards. The figure is unclothed, revealing a muscular physique, apart from a cape billowing around him. He is holding a long arrow-like object in one raised hand, while the other hand holds part of the cape. The background is filled with swirling clouds and beams of light, and there is an inscription in a circular pattern emanating from his head. In the distance, there is a chariot with horses and figures. The entire image is enclosed in an oval frame.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Apollo

Hendrik Goltzius

Date
1588
Medium
engraving on laid paper
Dimensions
plate: 35.3 x 26.5 cm (13 7/8 x 10 7/16 in.) sheet: 35.7 x 27.9 cm (14 1/16 x 11 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2012.92.51
Credit line
Gift of Ruth Cole Kainen
Time span
1551 to 1600
Department
CG-E

Subjects and terms

  • Dutch
  • Male figure
  • Portrait
  • Male nude
  • Cloud
Provenance

Norman Jack Leitman [b. 1934], San Diego, CA (Lugt 4545). (R.M. Light & Co., Inc., Santa Barbara, CA); Ruth Kainen [1922-2009], Washington, D.C. (Lugt 4739), purchased November 20, 1996; Gift to NGA, 2012.

Inscription

in image, at top centre: Dispellit tenebras, tortumqué illuminat orbem / Sol rutilus radiante coma, et fulgore corusco; in image, at bottom centre: HG. fe. / Ao. 88.

NGA object ID 131855. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.