Apollo Belvedere, Marble statue in Vatican Museums, Vatican City.
Apollo Belvedere is a marble figure standing 224 centimeters high in the Vatican Museums, showing the god with his right arm extended and remnants held in his left hand. The sculpture stands in the Octagonal Court and ranks among the most recognized works in the ancient collection.
The sculpture was excavated near Rome in the late 15th century and soon entered papal ownership. It is considered a Roman copy from the second century after a Greek bronze work created around 350 BCE and attributed to Leochares.
The figure received its name from the Belvedere Courtyard, where it was displayed after discovery and served for centuries as the highest example of ancient art. Artists traveled from across Europe to study and copy the proportions and pose of the sculpture.
The work stands in the center of one of the main halls and is accessible from all sides, allowing close viewing of the proportions and surface work. The room is usually well attended, so a visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon is advisable.
The sandals on the feet differ from typical Greek forms, prompting researchers to question the fidelity to the original. Additionally, the marble shows an unusually smooth polish that was rare for Roman copies and points to special craftsmanship.
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