Apollo c. 17th century

Curator: Guido Reni's "Apollo," housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, presents the god in charcoal and white chalk on paper. Its dimensions are quite impressive, nearly five feet tall. Editor: The preliminary nature of the sketch lends it a vulnerability. You can almost feel the artist figuring out the planes of the figure. There's a searching quality to the lines. Curator: The lyre, prominently featured, is of course Apollo's attribute. But it also symbolizes harmony and order, principles Apollo embodies. Notice the positioning of the hand on the heart, suggesting the source of artistic inspiration. Editor: I find it interesting how the loose drapery clings, simultaneously revealing and concealing. The strategic use of light and shadow draws the eye upward toward the slightly melancholic expression. It's a study in controlled grace. Curator: Indeed. The contrapposto stance adds to the dynamism, even in this static medium. Reni masterfully captures the ideal form, adhering to classical principles of beauty. Editor: It invites contemplation. Reni's "Apollo" offers a glimpse into the artistic process while evoking enduring themes of beauty and creation.