Depiction of Apollo 1921

Willi Baumeister created this 'Depiction of Apollo' using oil and tempera on cardboard. Baumeister was part of a generation of artists in Germany wrestling with the legacy of expressionism, while also responding to the rise of abstraction. In this work, the mythological figure of Apollo is reduced to a series of geometric forms. Apollo, traditionally depicted as an emblem of masculine beauty, is here deconstructed. Baumeister develops an alternative narrative, questioning traditional artistic representations. Consider how the flattening of form and the muted color palette contributes to a sense of detachment. It is as if Baumeister is stripping away the layers of classical mythology to reveal something more fundamental about the human condition. The artist himself noted that he sought to create “an art that is universally understandable.” This piece reflects both a personal exploration and a response to broader cultural shifts. It invites us to contemplate the interplay between abstraction, identity, and the enduring power of myth.