Standbeeld van Apollo 1640

Reinier van Persijn created this engraving of a statue of Apollo in the mid-17th century, a period defined by the rise of Dutch maritime power and a flourishing of artistic and scientific production. The male nude was a traditional subject in classical sculpture, embodying ideals of beauty, strength, and virtue that are rooted in the social values of ancient Greece and Rome. Here, Apollo’s nudity might evoke a sense of vulnerability, but the composition, with its careful attention to detail, conveys a feeling of poise and balance. Van Persijn’s engraving captures the statue's form, but it also invites us to consider the intersections of power, sexuality, and representation that are woven into its very being. As you consider this image, what do you feel? What does it mean to see this image reproduced in print, for a potentially wider audience?