Phaeton Bidding Apollo Farewell
Medium
figures
Classification
figures
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors
Accession Number
1901-39-3287
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Phaeton Bidding Apollo** *Felice Giani (Italian, 1758–1823), ca. 1810* *Figures, Smithsonian American Art Museum* This evocative work by Felice Giani captures a poignant moment from classical mythology: Phaeton, the mortal son of sun god Apollo, bidding father farewell before embarking on fateful quest to drive the sun chariot across the sky. Created around 1810, the piece reflects the Neoclassical revival of ancient Greek and Roman themes popular in early 19th-century Europe. Giani, a prolific Italian artist known for his elegant frescoes and decorative schemes inspired by antiquity, i...