DISCOVERART

Johann Kellerthaler

Apollo with Erato and Cupid

1595
pen and black ink and brown wash heightened with white gouache

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · as of July 2026

View at clevelandart.org ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART’S CATALOG

In this visual allegory of poetry, Apollo holds his attribute, the kithara, a stringed instrument used in the recitation of epic poems. Erato, the Muse of lyric poetry, appears with a lute and tambourine at her feet. Lyric poetry typically expresses an idea or emotion, such as love, through short, musical, and rhythmic verse. Kellerthaler lived in Dresden, where he regularly worked for members of the Saxon court as a painter, sculptor, printmaker, and goldsmith.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More like this

Venus, Mars, and CupidStyle of Frans Floris, I — Venus, Mars, and CupidTarquin and LucretiaFontainebleau School — Tarquin and LucretiaCeres and BacchusBartholomeus Spranger|Jan Muller|Anonymous, Dutch, 17th centDiana and EndymionGiuseppe Diamantini — Diana and EndymionSaint Justina of Padua Enthroned, with Saints James the Less and John the BaptistJacopo Negretti, called Palma Giovane — Saint Justina of PadThe Judgment of ParisAbraham Bloemaert — The Judgment of ParisVenus and AmorBartholomeus Spranger — Venus and AmorJustice and PrudenceCornelis Massys (Flemish, 1510/11–1556/57) — Justice and PruTwo Standing SaintsGiovanni Bandini (Italian, c. 1540–1599) — Two Standing SainVenus and Cupid with a SatyrAdriaen de Weerdt — Venus and Cupid with a SatyrNymphs BathingGiulio Testone — Nymphs BathingBacchanaalBacchanaal