Head of Apollo (Kassel type)

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This monumental marble head embodies the Roman god Apollo in grandiose fashion. It is classified as the Apollo of Kassel, also referred to as the Ephebe of Kassel, from a collection of Roman reproductions of ancient Greek art. The original Roman replica of the now vanished Greek masterpiece resides at the Wilhelmshohe Castle Museum in Kassel. The marble statue itself dates back to the 2nd Century AD, likely commissioned by Emperor Domitian, while the original Greek bronze has been lost to time. Over twenty versions of this type have been discovered, accompanied by numerous depictions on coins and gemstones. Pausanias the Periegeta documents that on the Acropolis of Athens stood a statue dedicated to Apollo crafted by Phidias, depicting the god as Parnopios (Lord of the Locusts), a full-figure sculpture that would have grasped a locust in its hand. Given the familiarity with works showcased on the Parthenon Frieze, it was only logical to assume that the Apollo Kassel type corresponds to the lost statue.