APOLLO Belvidere, ranked the first in the first class of ancient statues, and so called from having been placed in the Belvedere of the Vatican at Rome by Pope Julius II. where it remained for 300 years, and till Rome was taken and plundered by the French in 1797. This celebrated statue was found in the ruins of ancient Antium about the end of the 15th century. The artist is unknown. The excellence of this statue, which has attracted universal admiration, consists in the elegance and sublimity of the expression. Beside this, there are many ancient statues referred to the first which are distinguished by peculiar beauties.