Bust of Apollo

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This exquisite bust of the divine Apollo mirrors Roman late baroque sculpture following in the footsteps of Alessandro Algardi (1598-1654), a master who revolutionized the image of the ideal male youth through works such as his Borghese Table and St Philip Neri. The current Apollo, with hair flowing back in curling waves from an off-center parting, is rooted in the tradition of youths inspired by the ancient archetypal portrait of Alexander the Great, also reflected in Bernini's Daniel. The intricate carving of the hair and drapery is exceptionally fine, revealing the god's arrow fletches behind his right shoulder.