Apollo (From the Series "Land of Relics")

Oil on Canvas. Unframed 53"x39" / 135cm x 100cm

Apollo by Cuban artist Maikel Benítez is an evocative oil painting that casts La Habana as a contemporary echo of ancient Rome, drawing a powerful parallel between the weathered cityscape of today and the legendary ruins of classical antiquity. The monumental, fallen head of Apollo rests before the crumbling façades, as if an artifact unearthed from a forgotten empire—inviting viewers to see Havana not merely as a city in decay, but as a place marked by grandeur, endurance, and historical weight.

Benítez uses the architecture of Havana—its peeling balconies, sun-faded colors, and fractured walls—to mirror the silent dignity of ancient ruins. The effect is profoundly atmospheric: the city becomes a living archaeological site, where time accumulates in layers of paint, wear, and memory.