Hans ThomaGerman, 1839–1924Apollo and Marsyas
Can I see it?
Yes, on view now
Where is “Apollo and Marsyas” now? Art Institute of Chicago, Gallery 245, Chicago. Yes, on view now. Checked September 29, 2026.
Chicago, United States
Open now· until 5:00 PM
On public display.
- Checked
- In this state since
- Source
- The museum
About the painting
Along with Arnold Böcklin, Hans Thoma was a leading Northern European figure in the shift from Realism and history painting to art inspired by classical myths and legends. Taken from Ovid’s epic poem Metamorphoses, Thoma showed the satyr Marsyas challenging Apollo, the master of the lyre, to a musical contest. Although he avoided depicting the cruel outcome of the match (the satyr lost and was flayed alive by Apollo), the artist’s treatment of Apollo, whose idealized body and luminous skin set him apart from the shadowy halftones of his challenger, hints at the winner. Thoma’s painted frame may also have been inspired by a tale from Ovid’s Metamorphoses.
Art Institute of ChicagoCC BY 4.0
Details
- Accession number
- 2008.555
What it shows
In the catalog
Sources
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Image: Art Institute of Chicago — CC0
