The sculpture depicts two main figures and a smaller figure. On the left, there is a bearded man with a muscular build, hunched over and possibly carrying or being supported by the smaller figure beneath him. His hair and beard appear textured, and he is only partially clothed with a garment over one shoulder. On the right stands a taller, more statuesque figure, likely female, draped partially in cloth, with an upward stance. This figure holds a lyre in her right hand. The smaller figure appears to be reaching up toward the taller figure's draped garment. The sculpture is crafted from a bronze-like material, exhibiting a dark brown color with highlights. The entire piece is oval-shaped with a small hole at the top. The background shows faint trees and foliage.
Read the visual description

The sculpture depicts two main figures and a smaller figure. On the left, there is a bearded man with a muscular build, hunched over and possibly carrying or being supported by the smaller figure beneath him. His hair and beard appear textured, and he is only partially clothed with a garment over one shoulder. On the right stands a taller, more statuesque figure, likely female, draped partially in cloth, with an upward stance. This figure holds a lyre in her right hand. The smaller figure appears to be reaching up toward the taller figure's draped garment. The sculpture is crafted from a bronze-like material, exhibiting a dark brown color with highlights. The entire piece is oval-shaped with a small hole at the top. The background shows faint trees and foliage.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

Apollo and Marsyas

Roman 15th Century, after the Antique

Date
mid 15th century
Medium
bronze//Dark brown laquer (much rubbed) over light brown bronze
Dimensions
overall (oval): 4.18 x 3.41 cm (1 5/8 x 1 5/16 in.) gross weight: 23.84 gr (0.053 lb.)
Classification
Sculpture · Plaquette
Accession number
1957.14.148
Credit line
Samuel H. Kress Collection
Time span
1401 to 1500
Department
CSD

Subjects and terms

  • Roman
  • classical
  • mythology
  • Renaissance
  • Renaissance Plaquettes
  • Apollo
  • Marsyas
Provenance

Gustave Dreyfus [1837-1914], Paris; his estate; purchased 1930 by (Duveen Brothers, Inc., London and New York); purchased 1945 by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York; gift 1957 to NGA.

NGA object ID 43868. 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.