Statue of Apollo

Statue, restored as Apollo with lyre. The head in ancient but did not belong to the statue and had extensive restorations. There are also restorations in the support of the lyre as well as the tree trunk with the snake below it. Tips of curls remaining on the upper back indicate that the youth originally wore long hair. The youth has a hipshot pose, a soft effeminate body and long hair and could be either an Apollo or a Bacchus. A similar statue is illustrated in Monumenta Mattheiana and if it is the same statue, it is possible that the restorer replaced the simple pedestal support with the present tree and lyre. The head is ancient but did not belong to the statue and may be entirely a restoration; it is also too small for the body. There is no explanation for the three small metal pins in a row above the pubis. The surface is very smooth and has been overworked to blend the various components together. Purchased from the Villa Mattei Collection by Henry Blundell on his first trip to Italy in 1777.