Apollo and the Nymphs (three sections)

Votive relief from Thasos. Paris, Louvre. H. 1.06m. A central panel that stood on one side of the street, facing an altar, with two smaller panels set either side of the altar. From the left: a nymph holding a pomegranate in her left hand and a wreath in her right faces a second nymph with a wreath in her left hand. A third nymph, also holding a pomegranate, gestures with her left hand at the central scene, where a nymph crowns Apollo, who holds a lyre in his right hand. He wears a himation. A false doorway splits the sequence. Three nymphs arrive to bring offerings to Apollo; the first holds a salver (for libations), the second brings a ribbon, and the third holds a flower. Following them, Hermes makes an expansive gesture to point the final nymph on her way. He wears the short traveller's cloak, boots and petasos, and is bearded. The final nymph holds a ribbon in both hands. Sculpture from the North Aegean island of Thasos is generally ignored in favour of more advanced offerings from the Greek mainland. Thasian sculpture does not tend to survive in large amounts, this votive relief being one of few extant examples.