Bernini's "Apollo and Daphne" from Galleria Borghese, Rome, Italy

Gian Lorenzo Bernini's "Apollo and Daphne"(1622 - 1625) is carved in white marble. It is inspired by a story from Latin book 1 (out of 15) "Metamorphosis by Roman poet Ovid (8 AD). Story has it that Apollo (Roman god of medicine and art) and brother of Diana (the virgin goddess of hunt) is full of himself having conquered a large snake. He bullies Cupid (God of love, desire and affection) about his ability to handle dangerous weapons. Cupid in spite, hits Apollo with a love-inducing arrow and Daphne (a river nymph, worshipper of Diana and a sworn celibate) with a love-repelling arrow. Apollo pursues a distraught Daphne and when he finally catches up with her she prays to her river father Peneus who metamorphoses her into a laurel tree. Apollo, still in love, kisses her, bestows his gift of endless youth upon her and makes her a sacred plant.
#Art #GianLorenzoBernini #painting