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Preview image of work. marble,  Statue of a Youth (Pythian Apollo?) 4977
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1961.97

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Statue of a Youth (Pythian Apollo?)

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Artist

Artist Unidentified (Greco-Roman)

Title

Statue of a Youth (Pythian Apollo?)

Creation Date

ca. 100 - 200 CE

Century

2nd century

Dimensions

39 15/16 in. x 20 1/16 in. x 15 7/16 in. (101.5 cm. x 51 cm. x 39.2 cm.)

Classification

Sculpture

Creation Place

Ancient Mediterranean

Medium and Support

marble

Credit Line

Gift of Nathan Dane II

Copyright

Public Domain

Accession Number

1961.97

The pose and proportion of the statue recall male figures created during the late fifth or early fourth century BCE when Greek sculptors employed mathematical rules to achieve an ideal body type. Poses also become more naturalistic and offer different views as you move around the sculptures. However, the heavy use of supporting elements (the tree stump and a missing strut on the figure’s left) suggests that this statue is a later version, or copy, of an original work in bronze, a medium that would not need such structural additions. The Romans, in particular, are known for these renditions. The addition of a snake, that coils in and around the tree stump, with a male youth could indicate that the figure is a young Apollo whose victory over the serpent Pytho assured his preeminence at Delphi as Pythian Apollo. Still, a precise identification remains elusive.

Additional Media

Additional Image front
front
Additional Image 3/4 front
3/4 front
Additional Image 3/4 right side
3/4 right side
Additional Image 3/4 back right side
3/4 back right side
Additional Image right side
right side
Additional Image back
back
Additional Image 3/4 left back side
3/4 left back side
Additional Image left side
left side
Additional Image 3/4 left side front
3/4 left side front