The Strangford Apollo
- Gallery: Room 15
- Culture: Classical Greek
- Date: 490BC (circa)
- Object type: statue
- Materials: marble
- Museum number: 1864,0220.1
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
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About this object
In front of you stands a Parian marble statue known as "The Strangford Apollo." It shows a nude youth, frozen in a poised, forward-facing stance. Though parts of the arms, legs, and some facial features are missing, the craftsmanship remains impressive. The figure’s muscular build and carefully sculpted details—like the collarbone, chest ridges, and carved ribs—show an advanced understanding of human anatomy.
The statue reflects Classical Greek art from around 490 B.C. Its style connects to early archaic figures known as kouroi, though with more naturalistic details. The youth’s hair is sculpted in spiral curls and flat waves, framed by a narrow fillet, possibly an Ionic band once used in ceremonies.
Originally from Anaphe, this work was bought by Percy Smythe, 8th Viscount Strangford. Though worn with age and missing parts, it offers a glimpse into ancient Greek sculpture’s refinement and ambition.
See it in person
The Strangford Apollo is on display in Room 15 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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