Apollo and Marsyas
1888
Medium
Oil on panel
Dimensions
101 × 73.5 cm (39 3/4 × 28 7/8 in.); Framed: 127.4 × 100.1 cm (50 1/8 × 39 3/8 in.)
Classification
painting
Department
Painting and Sculpture of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
192691
Art Historical Context
Hans Thoma's *Apollo and Marsyas* (1888), an oil on panel measuring 101 × 73.5 cm, captures dramatic moment from classical mythology at the Art Institute of Chicago The German artist, a key figure in the Symbolist Nazarene revival movements, drew inspiration from Renaissance masters like Raphael and Dürer, blending mythic narrative with a modern, introspective sensibility. Thoma's fascination with ancient tales is evident here, portraying the sun god Apollo punishing the satyr Marsyas who dared challenge him in a musical contest and lost—leading to the flaying depicted in Ovid's *Metamorphoses...
About the Artist
Hans Thoma
Hans Thoma (1839-1924) was a distinguished German painter often celebrated as the "Painter of the Black Forest" for his deep connection to the landscapes and folklore of his native region in southwestern Germany. Born to a miller's family in the Black Forest village of Bernau, Thoma rose from humble origins to become one of Germany's most respected artists and eventually director of the prestigiou...