Apollo and Daphne

sculpture by Bernini

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June 23, 2026

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The sculpture "Apollo and Daphne" by Gian Lorenzo Bernini depicts a dramatic moment from Greek mythology. Daphne, a nymph, is transformed into a laurel tree as the god Apollo pursues her. Bernini masterfully captures this metamorphosis, with Daphne's fingers becoming leaves and her legs roots, showcasing the Baroque period's emphasis on movement and emotion.12

This work is renowned for its technical virtuosity, with Bernini transforming marble to appear like flesh, hair, and cloth. It exemplifies the Baroque style's ability to create a sense of dynamism and capture fleeting moments, a hallmark of Bernini's influential approach to sculpture.1

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Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Early years
…to the hallucinatory vision of Apollo and Daphne (1622–24), which was intended to be viewed from one spot as if it were a relief. In his David (1623–24), Bernini depicts the figure casting a stone at an unseen adversary. Several portrait busts that Bernini executed during this period, including that…
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…to the hallucinatory vision of Apollo and Daphne (1622–24), which was intended to be viewed from one spot as if it were a relief. In his David (1623–24), Bernini depicts the figure casting a stone at an unseen adversary. Several portrait busts that Bernini executed during this period, including that…
Read More