Apelles

Biography

Apelles, also known as Apelles of Ephesus, was a renowned ancient Greek painter of the Hellenistic period and the court artist of Alexander the Great. Although none of his works have survived, he is considered one of the most famous painters of antiquity. Much of the knowledge about Apelles’ life and work comes from indirect sources and literary descriptions, particularly in the writings of Pliny the Elder, especially his "Natural History." Apelles was born in 370 BCE in the city of Colophon and died in 306 BCE on the island of Kos. He primarily created works using the encaustic technique on wooden panels, as well as mural paintings. Pliny the Elder noted that Apelles’ contributions to painting were comparable to the combined contributions of all other artists of his time and that his art possessed a unique charm despite the presence of other great masters of the period. In addition to painting, he was also involved in writing, although his fame rests chiefly on his painting.