Apollo and Daphne by Gianlorenzo Bernini - 1622–1625 - 243 cm Galleria Borghese Apollo and Daphne by Gianlorenzo Bernini - 1622–1625 - 243 cm Galleria Borghese

Apollo and Daphne

marble • 243 cm
  • Gianlorenzo Bernini - December 7, 1598 - November 28, 1680 Gianlorenzo Bernini 1622–1625

Gian Lorenzo Bernini created this fantastic masterpiece for Cardinal Scipione Borghese depicting the chaste nymph Daphne being turned into a laurel tree, pursued in vain by Apollo, god of light.

This life-size marble sculpture, begun by Bernini at the age of 24 and executed between 1622 and 1625, has always been housed in the same villa, but originally stood on a lower and narrower base set against the wall near the stairs. Consequently, anyone entering the room first saw Apollo from behind, then the fleeing nymph appeared in the process of metamorphosis: branches covers most of her body, but according to Ovid's lines, Apollo's hand can still feel her heart beating beneath it. Thus the scene ends by Daphne being transformed into a laurel tree to escape her divine aggressor.

The presence of this pagan myth in the Cardinal's villa was justified by a moral couplet composed in Latin by Cardinal Maffeo Barberini (later Pope Urban VIII) and engraved on the cartouche on the base, which says: “Those who love to pursue fleeting forms of pleasure, in the end find only leaves and bitter berries in their hands.”

While the sculpture may be appreciated from multiple angles, Bernini planned for it to be viewed side on, allowing the observer to see the reactions of Apollo and Daphne simultaneously, thus understanding the narrative of the story in a single instant, without the need to move position. Today we present this sculpture in photos taken from two angles. I wish they could represent Bernini's talent more!