Apollo Belvedere (after Leochares) 350 BC

This is a marble sculpture of Apollo, made by an ancient Greek artist after Leochares, sometime between 700 and 31 BC. The sculpture embodies the classical Greek ideal of male beauty, with its emphasis on youth, athleticism, and idealized proportions. Apollo stands nude, save for a cloak draped over his shoulder, showcasing the male form as an object of aesthetic and cultural admiration. This representation is deeply rooted in a society where male citizens held positions of power, influencing everything from politics to philosophical thought. Apollo’s body is smooth, graceful, and seemingly devoid of the marks of lived experience. He represents not just physical perfection, but also a certain social and cultural ideal. This version of masculinity is one that is still very present in our society, in advertising for example. Consider the ways in which this image may have shaped perceptions of beauty and worth.