The artwork titled “Apollo Kithara” was created by Jeff Koons during the period of 2019 to 2022 in the United States. It is a ready-made sculpture made from plastic materials, and it falls within the Neo-Pop Art and Conceptual Art movements. The genre of this piece is both sculpture and mythological painting, thereby intertwining classical mythological themes with contemporary art styles and materials.
The artwork depicts a reimagined version of Apollo, the ancient Greek god of the arts, sun, and light. He is rendered in a luminous plastic medium, which gives a sleek and contemporary appearance to the classical subject. Apollo is shown as a youthful figure with golden curled hair, partially clothed in drapery of rich teal and red colors, embellished with golden accents that echo the opulence often associated with deities.
Apollo holds a kithara, an ancient musical instrument similar to a lyre, which is rendered here in a matching golden color, reinforcing his association with music and the arts. The kithara’s design is highly ornate, with decorative elements that suggest finery and craftsmanship. A striking element of the sculpture is the presence of a large, realistically sculpted serpent, which entwines around the kithara and Apollo’s body. The snake’s patterning is meticulously detailed, drawing viewers’ attention and perhaps suggesting themes of wisdom, temptation, or protection, all of which are common attributes associated with serpentine creatures in mythology.
The backdrop against which the sculpture is set contributes to the mythological and historical atmosphere, with architectural elements and paintings that might be found in a classical setting, enhancing the timelessness and thematic resonance of the artwork with its ancient inspirations. This environment juxtaposed with the modern materiality of the artwork creates a dialogue between the past and present, a hallmark of Koons’ aesthetic approach.
