# Leochares

> 4th-century BC Greek sculptor

**Wikidata**: [Q323430](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q323430)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leochares)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/leochares

## Summary

Leochares was a 4th-century BC Greek sculptor associated with Classical Athens. He is best known for being attributed as the creator of the original Greek bronze sculpture that the famous Roman marble copy known as the **Apollo Belvedere** is based on. His work represents a significant contribution to Classical Greek sculpture, with influence extending through Roman copies that preserved his artistic legacy.

## Biography

- **Born:** [Date and place not specified in source material]
- **Nationality:** Greek (associated with Classical Athens)
- **Education:** [Not specified in source material]
- **Known for:** Sculpture; attributed creator of the original Greek bronze version of the Apollo Belvedere
- **Employer(s):** [Not specified in source material]
- **Field(s):** Sculpture, Classical Greek art

## Contributions

Leochares is credited with creating the original Greek bronze sculpture dating to approximately **350 BC**, which was later copied by Roman artists. The most famous Roman marble copy, known as the **Apollo Belvedere**, was created around **120 AD** and is housed in Italy. This work stands as one of the most celebrated sculptures of antiquity and has been immensely influential in the history of art, shaping Renaissance and neoclassical ideals of beauty and proportion.

## FAQs

**What is Leochares famous for?**
Leochares is famous as a 4th-century BC Greek sculptor from Classical Athens, primarily recognized for being attributed as the creator of the original Greek bronze statue that the Roman marble copy known as the Apollo Belvedere reproduces.

**What is the Apollo Belvedere?**
The Apollo Belvedere is a Roman marble statue copy created around 120 AD, modeled after a Greek bronze original attributed to Leochares dated to approximately 350 BC. It is one of the most renowned sculptures from antiquity.

**Where was Leochares from?**
Leochares was a Greek sculptor associated with Classical Athens, the prominent city-state of ancient Greece.

**What time period did Leochares work in?**
Leochares was active during the 4th century BC, with his attributed original bronze sculpture of Apollo dated to approximately 350 BC.

## Why They Matter

Leochares holds enduring significance in the history of Western art as a Classical Greek sculptor whose work transcended his era. The attribution of the Apollo Belvedere's original design to Leochares connects him directly to one of the most influential sculptures ever created. The Roman copy, crafted around 120 AD, became a cornerstone of artistic study during the Renaissance and neoclassical periods, establishing standards for idealized human form. Without Leochares's original vision, the artistic lineage that shaped Western conceptions of beauty and anatomical perfection would have been markedly different. His work exemplifies the transition in Greek sculpture toward the elegant, idealized forms characteristic of the Late Classical period.

## Notable For

- Greek sculptor of the 4th century BC associated with Classical Athens
- Attributed creator of the original Greek bronze statue of Apollo (circa 350 BC)
- The Apollo Belvedere Roman marble copy (circa 120 AD), now in Italy, preserves his artistic legacy
- Recognized as a significant figure in Classical Athenian art with a Wikidata presence across 33 site links
- Subject of a dedicated Wikipedia article, confirming enduring scholarly and public interest

## Body

### Identity and Origins

Leochares was a human, a member of *Homo sapiens*, who lived during the 4th century BC. He is identified as a sculptor — an artist specializing in sculpture — and was associated with **Classical Athens**, a prominent city-state in ancient Greece. Classical Athens itself was a major cultural and political center, with roots tracing back to around 700–508 BC, situated within what is now modern Greece.

### Artistic Attribution: The Apollo Belvedere

The most significant work attributed to Leochares is the **original Greek bronze statue of Apollo**, believed to have been created around **350 BC**. This bronze original no longer survives, but its form was preserved through a Roman marble copy known as the **Apollo Belvedere**, created around **120 AD** in what is now Italy. The Apollo Belvedere has become one of the most recognized and studied sculptures from the ancient world, serving as a key reference point for understanding Classical Greek aesthetic ideals.

### Legacy and Documentation

Leochares's historical footprint is substantial enough to warrant a dedicated **Wikipedia article** and a **Wikidata entry** with 33 site links across various language editions and projects. His Wikidata description succinctly identifies him as a "4th-century BC Greek sculptor." Despite the limited surviving details about his personal life, the attribution of the Apollo Belvedere's original design to his hand ensures his continued relevance in art historical discourse.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013