Marble torso of Eros
Copy of work attributed to Praxiteles
Roman copy of Greek original. Adaptation of a Greek bronze statue representing the
Apollo Sauroktonos (Lizard Slayer) of ca. 350 B.C. by Praxiteles.
The delicately modeled surface and sinuous curve of this torso are typical of the style of Praxiteles. The original bronze statue showed the young Apollo leaning
against a tall tree trunk and holding an arrow; he was poised to slay a lizard climbing up the tree. The Romans did not hesitate to alter and adapt famous Greek
works. Here, Apollo has been transformed into Eros, as can be seen by the remains of wings on his back.