This marble head is in the Villa Ludovisi, Rome, and is considered the most beautiful of all the representations of Juno. It expresses great energy of character united with the utmost feminine grace and purity. The name of the artist is unknown, but he is presumed to have been an Athenian.
Apollo Belvedere.
“And the cold marble leapt to life a god.”
“‘Bright haired Apollo,’ thou who ever art
A blessing to the world—whose mighty heart
Forever pours out love and light and life.”
—Pike.
STORY.
A PYTHIAN GOD.
The slime with which the earth was covered by the waters of the flood, caused so excessive a fertility as to produce every variety of life, both good and bad. An enormous serpent, called Python, crept forth and lurking in the caves of Mt. Parnassus, became the terror of the people.