Marble Sculpture Of Nymph Turning Into A Tree

But after a while you begin to notice the magical transformation of a living being into a tree.

Marble sculpture of nymph turning into a tree.

Between 1622 and 1625 gian lorenzo bernini sculpted a baroque life sized marble statue entitled apollo and daphne apollo clutches daphne s hip pursuing her as she flees to escape him. This reproduction of the masterpiece apollo and daphne by gian lorenzo bernini 1598 1680 the sculptor of the roman baroque depicts the myth of the chaste nymph daphne being turned into a laurel tree pursued in vain by apollo the god of light. Woman typical for baroque art this caught moment in time figures in motion. Housed in the galleria borghese in rome the work depicts the climax of the story of apollo and daphne phoebus and daphne in ovid s metamorphoses.

As ovid told the story in his metamorphoses when the beautiful nymph daphne finally escaped the pursuing apollo by turning into a laurel tree the roman god of music and poetry pledged his. Apollo and daphne is a life sized baroque marble sculpture by italian artist gian lorenzo bernini executed between 1622 and 1625. And so it is at this moment of transformation what a perfect subject for bernini who transforms this rock of marble into something that looks as if it s in motion and it s living flesh. If you look at the sculpture for the first time you will see apollo chasing daphne.

Apollo wears a laurel crown and daphne is portrayed halfway through her metamorphosis into the laurel tree with her arms already transforming into its branches as she flees and calls to her father to save her. In front of you is still a beautiful nymph but hands are already beginning to turn into twigs and leaves.