Alcove with Apollo Kissing Leucothoe
1658â1703
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-341-36
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Jean Le Pautre “Alcove with Apolloissing Leucoth” captures a tender moment classical mythology in a rendered print. Created between1658 and 3, the work depicts sun god Apollo embracing the Leucothoe a scene drawn from Ovid Metamorphoses. Leautre, a leading ornamental designer of the Baroque, specialized in engrav that blended architecture,, and narrative detail, intended as models for decoration. This print reflects period’s fascination with stories and lavish domestic spaces The alcove setting suggests a private, environment, where mythological themes both to educate and delight viewers. As ...