M.S. Rau is committed to offering fine art of the highest caliber and we seek paintings and sculpture by historically renowned artists, often with impressive provenance. The large majority of our works of art come from private. . .
At M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.
Learn MoreMarble Bust of Apollo
- This extraordinary and monumental bust depicts the Greek god Apollo
- Made of Carrara marble, the bust is based on the Apollo Belvedere in the Vatican Museums
- The masters Michelangelo, Dürer and even Canova were influenced by the famed original
- The level of detail in this piece suggests craftsmanship by a master sculptor
- Get complete item description here
To speak to one of our experts, call 1-888-711-8084
The bust was influenced by one of the great masterpieces of Greek sculpture, the Belvedere Apollo. The original, dating to 325 BC, is attributed to Leochares, the legendary Greek sculptor renowned for his work on the Mausoleum of Maussollos at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. While Leochares' Apollo has never been recovered, a Roman copy was discovered near Rome in the late 15th century, and today can be found in the collection of the Vatican Museums. Counted among the most precious works of ancient sculpture still in existence, this important sculpture was remarkably influential on the artists of the Renaissance. A handful of replicas - from sculptures to busts and sketches - are prominently displayed in the most prestigious museums of the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the British Museum in London and the Getty in California.
The sculpture held remarkable influence over a generation of artists during the Renaissance, who sought to replicate the highly idealized perfection of the god. Echoes of Leochares' Apollo can be seen in Michelangelo's David, while other Renaissance greats, including Dürer, Bandinelli, and Goltzius, produced sketches and engravings of the work. Centuries later, the great Neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova would fall under its influence when he adapted the work in his marble Perseus in 1801.
The present work, composed in the late 17th century, follows in this tradition. The artist masterfully captures the quiet nobility of the original Greek bust, though here Apollo is presented in the garb of a soldier. The smooth finish of the Carrara marble and virtuosic treatment of Apollo's curly mane and diadem is a testament to the artist's remarkable skill as a sculptor.
Also of note here is the sunburst medallion Apollo wears upon his breastplate. It is a clear reference to his position as the Greek god of the sun, however, it also alludes to Louis XIV, King of France at the time of this sculpture's creation. The 72-year reign of Louis XIV, the longest in European history, not only enhanced the power of the monarchy, but catapulted France to become the most powerful nation in Europe. Louis XIV built Versailles during his reign to reflect the grandeur of the King and his court. Known as the Sun King, Louis XIV fashioned himself after Apollo and enjoyed being portrayed as the god, and several portraits busts of the king include similar sunburst medallion breastplate details.
Circa 1675
40" high x 29" wide x 14" deep

Period: | Pre-18th Century |
Origin: | France |
Type: | Sculpture |
Depth: | 14.0 Inches |
Width: | 29.0 Inches |
Height: | 40.0 Inches |
Style: | Renaissance |

Beneath the Surface: How Stone Sculpture is Made
The act of transforming a rough piece of stone into a work of art predates civilization itself. Though sculptures can and have been crafted of wood, metal and various media, nothing achieves the...
read moreAt M.S. Rau, we are committed to building a long-term, rewarding relationship with each and every client. That’s why your purchase is backed by our 125% guarantee.
Learn More