An artwork on Galleree from Cleveland Museum of Art.
About the artwork
The Cleveland Apollo: Apollo Sauroktonos (Lizard-Slayer) or Apollo the Python-Slayerc. 350–200 BCE
Praxiteles
c. 400/390-330/325 BC
The Cleveland Apollo has been called both Lizard-Slayer (<em>Sauroktonos</em>) and Python-Slayer. The first name comes from the Roman author Pliny the Elder (23–79 CE), who noted in describing bronze works made by the Athenian sculptor Praxiteles (active around 370–330 BCE), “the youthful Apollo [is] known as the Sauroktonos because he is aiming an arrow at a lizard [Greek <em>sauros</em>] which is stealing toward him.”<br><br>Scholars have long connected this description with artworks showing the young Greek god Apollo in a distinctive pose and hairstyle, standing on his right leg and leaning to his left. In more completely preserved versions, Apollo reaches toward a tree with his left arm and seems to take aim at a lizard. The Cleveland Apollo shows the adolescent god similarly posed and coiffed, making it an important addition to the Apollo Sauroktonos group—the only surviving large-scale bronze sculpture of the type. The young Greek god Apollo, identifiable by his distinctive hairstyle and pose, stands on his right leg and leans to his left, probably toward a now-lost tree. Although now separated, the left forearm and hand survive, together with an unusual lizard-like creature, perhaps drawn from the world of myth. A flat bronze base also remains, though it may be a later adaptation. A tree or other support has been lost, probably smaller than in the marble versions. <br><br>Given its material and very high artistic quality—note the lifelike hair, fingernails, and inlaid copper lips and nipples—more than one scholar has suggested that the Cleveland Apollo could be the very sculpture seen by Pliny. Some have called the sculpture “Python-Slayer,” seeing the oddly shaped serpentine creature with asymmetrical legs as the mythical Python killed by Apollo in establishing his sanctuary at Delphi. But technical details may explain some of the asymmetry, and no other specific evidence connects it to Delphi. Most scholars would retain the name Sauroktonos (Lizard-Slayer) for the Cleveland Apollo, even as some debate whether it was made by Praxiteles himself or a later follower.
The Cleveland Apollo is the only surviving large-scale bronze sculpture of its type, Apollo Sauroktonos (the Lizard-Slayer).
bronze, copper, and stone inlay
Base: 0.5 x 47.3 x 40.7 cm (3/16 x 18 5/8 x 16 in.); Overall: 150 x 50.3 x 66.8 cm (59 1/16 x 19 13/16 x 26 5/16 in.)
Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund
In the tranquil caress of a gallery bathed in soft light, a glimpse of myth emerges—the Cleveland Apollo, an enchanting embodiment of ancient tales. This remarkable piece, known in whispers as both the "Lizard-Slayer" or "Python-Slayer," beckons viewers to unravel its layered narratives.
Imagine the early whispers of a Roman, Pliny the Elder, who lived in the bustling 1st century CE, observing this beauty crafted by the hands of Praxiteles, a sculptor from centuries earlier. "The youthful Apollo," Pliny mused, "is known as the Sauroktonos because he is aiming an arrow at a lizard, which is stealing toward him." This moment, frozen in time, speaks volumes—a young god, poised and fierce, ready to defend his realm against the creeping menace of a lizard.
As we draw closer to Apollo, we find him suspended in motion, balancing delicately on his right leg while leaning slightly to the left, his flowing hair framing a face that seems both ageless and fresh. Scholars note that this pose and hairstyle are distinctive markers that connect this piece to a broader family of artworks, all under the banner of Apollo Sauroktonos. Here, he is depicted reaching for a tree, perhaps a sanctuary now lost to history, as he prepares to let loose an arrow.
In the Cleveland Apollo, the youthful deity holds a lizard beneath his aim, a creature both emblematic and enigmatic. Standing amidst the remnants of a world long vanished, the sculpture whispers of artistry and myth. Surviving fragments of the sculpture—the left forearm, an unexpected lizard-like creature—remain, hinting at stories intertwined with the divine.
The artistry of the piece is nothing short of breathtaking; lifelike strands of hair, meticulously sculpted fingernails, and the delicate inlay of copper lips and nipples speak of a mastery that transcends time. Some scholars have even dared to dream that this very sculpture could be the embodiment of Pliny’s observations, perfectly aligned with his descriptions.
Yet whispers of identity swirl with uncertainty. The creature at Apollo’s feet takes on new meanings with every gaze—some see it as an embodiment of the mythical Python, a formidable serpent that Apollo vanquished to establish his sanctuary at Delphi. But the truth is painted in shades of ambiguity; no definitive evidence links it to Delphi, and scientific examinations reveal the sculptural asymmetry that speaks of technical challenges rather than mythical clarity.
And so the debate swirls within academic corridors, with most scholars leaning toward the moniker of Sauroktonos—even as questions linger about whether Praxiteles himself could have been the artisan behind this bronze marvel, or if it is indeed a later homage to his genius.
As we stand before the Cleveland Apollo, time unfurls, and we are connected to echoes of the past, pondering the dualities of creation and myth. This majestic figure, caught in a moment of purpose and determination, invites us to reflect on the stories we carry, reminding us that in every narrative, there lies a battle between light and shadow, depicted through the artistry of ages long gone.
About the artist
Creating transformative experiences through art “for the benefit of all the people forever.”The Cleveland Museum of Art is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 66,500 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The artworks shared on this platform are sourced from the museum's Open Access data under the CC0 license. No endorsement is implied.Address: 11150 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH, USA 44106
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