Studie van een staande Apollo met lier, voor een tuinbeeld. c. 1725

Ignatius van Logteren created this terracotta study of Apollo with a lyre as a model for a garden statue. Note the lyre, attribute of Apollo, God of music and poetry, an instrument that transcends mere auditory pleasure, resonating with the harmony of the cosmos itself. The lyre can be traced back to ancient Greece, and it reemerges in Roman art, and the Renaissance. Its presence signifies a connection between earthly and divine realms, evoking a sense of order and enlightenment. Consider how in the Renaissance, the rediscovery of classical antiquity led to a resurgence of Apollo as a symbol of artistic and intellectual achievement. This symbolic revival speaks to a collective yearning to recapture the perceived glory and wisdom of the past. The persistent recurrence of Apollo and his lyre illustrates how cultural memory can shape artistic expression across centuries. This image serves as a potent reminder of humanity’s enduring quest for beauty and knowledge.