Image scanned from slide. Color corrected by Pat Cagney.

Andiron with Herm Figure of Apollo

Artist Girolamo Campagna (Italian, 1549-ca. 1625)

CultureItalian

Dateca. 1600

MediumBronze

DimensionsOverall: 60 1/2 in. (153.7 cm)

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number71.2611

On View

Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 203

DescriptionThis is a bronze statue of Apollo. His upper torso is bare except for a small strap over his shoulders. His hair is curly and thick and seems to be springing off his head. He looks over to the left side. His left hand is on his chest, his right holds something (unknown) down by his side. His lower body is draped with fabric knotted at the center. Instead of legs, there is a square, fluted column. The base supporting the statue has a coat of arms on all four sides of the square: it is shaped like a circle with the left half as animal. The right half is divided into two pictures: the top seems to be an eagle or hawk, and the bottom depicts a castle.

Label TextGirolamo Campagna Italian, 1549–ca. 1625 Andiron with Herm Figure of Apollo, ca. 1600 Bronze far right Andiron with Herm Figure of Diana, ca. 1600 Bronze Depicting the ancient gods Apollo (here) and Diana (to the right), these bronze andirons, or firedogs, once adorned a colossal fireplace in a grand Italian palace. The sun god Apollo holds a fiery ray of light, while the moon goddess Diana gathers her gown in her hand. Inspired by antique sculpture, the artist presents the two as herms—half-length figures set atop quadrangular posts that decorated classical Roman villas. As symbols of day and night, the pair evoke the daily alteration of light and dark—a theme likely enhanced by the firelight that once flickered behind them. Gifts of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.2611–.2612