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Apollo and the Muses

Hans Süss von Kulmbach

1502

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Renaissance Renaissance Mythology

Dominant colour

Apollo and the Muses is a 1502 ink by Hans Süss von Kulmbach, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Hans Süss von Kulmbach
When & what style?: 1502 · Renaissance
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This woodcut shows a busy scene of figures in circles, all connected by swirling lines. At the center stands a tall figure labeled *Apollo*, holding a lyre. Around him are nine smaller figures, each in their own round frame, labeled with names like *Phebus*, *Jupiter*, and *Mars*. The background is packed with leaves, vines, and tiny scenes—some figures play instruments, others hold scrolls or tools. Notice how the artist packed so much into small spaces, using tight lines and repeating patterns. The names and poses suggest these are gods and muses from old stories. If you like this style, look up woodcut to see how artists carved images into wood blocks before printing.