L'Apollo pizio, detto del Bel-Vedere -- ecphrasis

Speranza


The received view is that Apollo has JUST overtaken the serpent PITONE, the chthonic serpent of Delphi.

Apollo's arrow has JUST left his bow.

The EFFORT impressed on Apollo's musculature still lingers.

Apollo's hair, lightly curled, flows in ringlets down his neck and rises gracefully to the summit of his head, which is encircled with the strophium, a band symbolic of gods and kings.

His quiver is suspended across his left shoulder.

He is entirely nude except for his sandals.

His robe (chlamys) is clasped at his right shoulder and is turned up only on his left arm and thrown back.