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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.