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The sculpture depicts a nude male figure standing in a contrapposto pose with a flowing headpiece or hair. His head is slightly turned to his left. He appears to be holding a small object or tool in his left hand, while his right arm is bent with an open hand gesture near his shoulder. The sculpture is composed of a dark material, likely bronze, giving it a deep color with a slight sheen. Below the figure, an elaborate base features an ornate design with the face of a bearded man at the center, possibly a mythical creature, surrounded by intricate scrolling elements. The craftsmanship makes the sculpture appear lifelike, with realistic anatomical features and fluidity in its form.
National Gallery of Art · Sculpture
Andiron: Apollo with the Serpent
Italian 18th Century
- Date
- 18th century
- Medium
- bronze
- Dimensions
- overall: 91.4 x 40 x 22 cm (36 x 15 3/4 x 8 11/16 in.)
- Classification
- Sculpture · Utilitarian Object
- Accession number
- 1942.9.2520
- Credit line
- Widener Collection
- Time span
- 1651 to 1700
- Department
- CSD
Subjects and terms
- Italian
- classical
- mythology
- Venus
- European Small Bronzes before 1900
- Apollo
- Serpent
Provenance
Peter A.B. Widener, Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheritance from Estate of Peter A.B. Widener by gift through power of appointment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; gift 1942 to NGA.
NGA object ID 3151. 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.