Apollo als herder van koning Admetus 1768

This print of ‘Apollo as herdsman of King Admetus’ was made by William Byrne in the late 18th century. It depicts a scene from Greek mythology, but its visual style and subject matter can tell us much about the cultural values of its time. This image revives classical antiquity to lend legitimacy to the social hierarchies of 18th-century Europe. The figure of Apollo, god of music and poetry, is made subservient to a king. This endorsement of monarchy occurred at a time when the institution of monarchy was under threat, both intellectually by Enlightenment philosophers, and politically, in the American and French revolutions. To understand how the image functioned in its time, we can consult sources such as political pamphlets, literature, and newspaper reports. These resources help us understand the context of the print's creation and reception, and to appreciate how art is embedded in social and institutional contexts.