The Resurrection of Apollo Belvedere: A Timeless Marvel
After a hiatus of five years, the Vatican Museums have unveiled the newly restored Apollo Belvedere, a captivating marble sculpture of the Greek god Apollo from the second century.
This two-meter tall statue underwent a meticulous restoration and cleaning process after minor fractures were detected in its legs back in 2019. A new carbon fiber pole was carefully affixed to the back of its plinth to enhance stability, as confirmed by the Vatican in a statement.
The restoration, amounting to €260,000, was made possible with the support of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums and was overseen by the Vatican’s department of Greek and Roman Antiquities.
This marble masterpiece, believed to be a Roman replica of an original Greek bronze statue, captures Apollo in the moment after releasing an arrow from his bow.
Unearthed in 1489 on Rome’s Viminal Hill, the ancient sculpture was later transported to the Vatican by Pope Julius II, becoming a revered highlight of the papal collection.
Renowned 18th-century German art historian Johan Joachim Winckelmann praised the Apollo as “the epitome of artistic perfection among the ancient works that have survived through the ages.”
As the Vatican gears up to reveal the meticulously restored gilded bronze canopy towering over the high altar of St. Peter’s Basilica on 27 October, the return of the Apollo Belvedere signifies a renewed celebration of timeless art.
