Roman Adaptation of the Apollo Lykeios in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, June 2018

Roman Adaptation of Apollo Lykeios by Praxiteles (Primary Title)

Unknown (Artist)

Date: 2nd century

Culture:Roman

Category:Sculpture

Medium: marble

Collection: Ancient Art

Dimensions: Overall (without base): 11 1/2 × 7 1/4 × 4 in. (29.21 × 18.42 × 10.16 cm)

Overall (with base): 13 × 7 1/4 × 5 in. (33.02 × 18.42 × 12.7 cm)

Object Number: 96.6


“The place…is dedicated to the Apollo Lykeios [the wolf]. You see his statue there; the one leaning on the pillar, with a bow in the left hand. The right arm bent over the head indicates that the god is resting after some great exertion.” – Lucian, Anacharsis

This elegant torso is based on the 4th-century statue of Apollo in the gymnasion known as the Lykeion (Lyceum), the center for physical and intellectual training where the philosopher Aristotle taught. Reduced-scale statues were especially popular among the Romans and have been found in both domestic and religious contexts and in interior and exterior settings.

Text from: www.vmfa.museum/piction/6027262-12976625