The story of Apollo and Daphne from Greek mythology has inspired many artists. Undoubtedly, one of the most well-known and magnificent works is Bernini's Apollon and Daphne. This sculpture, in which we see the influence of the moving, dramatic and powerful figures of the Baroque period, was completed in 1625 by Bernini and his assistant Giuliano Finelli. The 243 cm tall marble statue is exhibited in the Galleria Borghese in Rome. [1] In the work, in which the moment of Apollo's capture of Daphne is depicted, the feeling of the moment of the event is impressively reflected by giving the appearance of the figures almost going into action. The worry and fear on Daphne's face are quite realistic. Daphne's transformation into a laurel tree; In this scene, where the leaves, branches and trunk of the tree blend harmoniously with Daphne's body, it is depicted down to the finest details.
The story that inspired the statue is as follows:
“Apollo is the god of the sun, light, poetry, music, arrow and prophecy. Daphne, on the other hand, is the daughter of the river god Peneus, a nymph who swore virginity. One day, while Apollo was walking in the sky, he met the god of love, Eros, who was an archer like himself. At that time, Eros is interested in his bow and arrow, which he uses to make people fall in love. Apollo, who had recently slew a dragon and was arrogant for his victory, spoke contemptuously to Eros. Eros decides to teach Apollo a lesson. One day, Apollo saw the beautiful nymph Daphne, who was wandering alone in the forest. He begins to watch the nymph, who has a beauty that makes even the goddesses jealous. That's when Eros prepares two arrows: He shoots an arrow at Apollo and shoots him right in the heart, making him fall in love with Daphne. The other arrow is thrown at Daphne, closing her love doors forever. Apollo approaches Daphne, but Daphne starts to run away with all her might. Apollo chases after Daphne in desperation. Realizing that she can no longer run away, Daphne calls out to her father Peneus: "Destroy the beauty that hurt me or change the body that destroyed my life."[2] (According to some sources, she begs, 'O mother earth, cover me, hide me, protect me!'[3 ]) Her father answers her plea. Daphne's body crusts over, her hair turns into leaves, and her slender, delicate arms grow into branches.
Determined to carry his love in his heart, Apollo says the following words to honor Daphne: "If you won't be my bride, then you must be my laurel tree. With you my hair will be wreathed, you will be my lyre, you will be my arrows. You will be with the Roman generals when cheery voices applaud their victory, and the Capitol will witness their long processions. You will be a faithful guardian at the door of Augustus and watch over his crown made of oak. And just like my head, which is always young with my uncut hair, you will wear the beauty of your undying leaves.” [2]
Today we see the laurel crown in many works of art depicting victorious Roman rulers (almost identified with Julius Caesar) and various statues of Apollo. [5]
Rumor has it that the place where this event took place is the Harbiye region of Antakya, famous for its laurel trees. It is believed that the countless waterfalls in Harbiye are the tears of Daphne. [3,4]
Sources:
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_and_Daphne_(Bernini)
- Ovid (Kline) Metamorphoses https://www.theoi.com/Text/OvidMetamorphoses1.html#6
- https://www.antakyabakkali.com/daphne-apollon
- Antakya Atso Hatay Rehberi sy.68
- https://sanatkaravani.com/ruhu-heykele-donusturmek-lorenzo-bernini/