John Flaxman Apollo & Marpessa Marble Sculpture London Gallery Postcard

RA6  This is a beautiful undated but modern published official postcard from Londons Royal Academy Of Arts for this statue of Apollo & Marpessa from circa 1790 by John Flaxman with artist details, dates, dimensions etc & Royal Academy Of Arts logo on reverse being the official souvenir from when exhibited unused and mint. 

In this marble relief John Flaxman depicts Apollo attempting to carry away the beautiful mortal Marpessa. In Greek mythology, Marpessa, an Aetolian princess, was wooed by both the Messenian prince Idas and the god Apollo. She was carried off by Idas in her chariot but Apollo found Marpessa and Idas, and tried to take her (the moment shown here). At this point Zeus, the king of the gods, intervened, and ordered Marpessa to choose between the two. She eventually chose Idas as she was fearful that Apollo would leave her when she grew old.