Apollo and Daphne (Bernini)

Apollo and Daphne (Bernini) is a Baroque marble sculpture executed between 1622 and 1625 by Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Commissioned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, it resides in the Galleria Borghese in Rome. The sculpture depicts the climax of the story of Apollo and Daphne as told in Ovid's Metamorphoses.

The narrative captured is the moment when Daphne, fleeing from the amorous pursuit of Apollo, is transformed into a laurel tree. Apollo, struck by Cupid's arrow, had relentlessly chased Daphne. Daphne, having vowed to remain chaste, prays to her father, the river god Peneus, for assistance. At the very moment Apollo is about to capture her, her prayer is answered; her skin begins to harden into bark, her hair turns into leaves, and her arms stretch skyward as branches.

Bernini masterfully captures the dynamic movement and emotional intensity of the transformation. Apollo's expression is one of surprise and dismay, his fingers just grazing Daphne's hardening flesh. Daphne's face displays a mix of fear and relief as she undergoes the metamorphosis. The contrast between the smooth, polished marble of the figures' skin and the rough texture of the emerging bark and leaves is particularly striking.

The sculpture is considered a masterpiece of Baroque sculpture due to its technical virtuosity, dramatic composition, and emotional power. Bernini's skill in rendering the fluidity of movement and the subtle nuances of human expression is evident throughout the work. The statue encourages viewing from multiple angles to fully appreciate the story and the artistry.