Apollo and Daphne at the Galleria Borghese, Rome

myminifactory

Apollo and Daphne is a life-sized Baroque marble sculpture by Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, crafted between 1622 and 1625. Housed in the Galleria Borghese in Rome, the work showcases the climax of the story of Daphne and Phoebus in Ovid's Metamorphoses. The sculpture was a final commission for Cardinal Scipione Borghese early in Bernini's career, following his earlier patronage of Pluto and Persephone, which had been given to Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi. Much of the initial work on Apollo and Daphne was completed between 1622 and 1623, but its completion was interrupted, possibly due to Bernini working on the sculpture of David. The final touches were not added until 1625. The sculpture itself was moved to the Cardinal's Villa Borghese in September 1625. While Bernini did not create the sculpture alone, he had significant assistance from a member of his workshop, Giuliano Finelli. Finelli undertook the intricate details that demonstrate Daphne's transformation from human to tree, including the bark and branches, as well as her windswept hair. However, some historians question the importance of Finelli's contributions. Bernini intended for Apollo and Daphne to be viewed from a single angle, allowing observers to see both characters' reactions simultaneously, thereby understanding the narrative in one instant without needing to change position. As Phoebus (Apollo), driven by Cupid's love-exciting arrow, encounters the maiden daughter of Peneus, a river god, he is captivated by her beauty and consumed by desire. However, Daphne has been fated by Cupid's love-repelling arrow and rejects the advances of men. As Nymph flees, Phoebus relentlessly pursues her – boasting, pleading, and promising everything. When her strength is depleted, she prays to her father Peneus: "Destroy the beauty that has injured me, or change the body that destroys my life." Before her prayer was completed, torpor overcame all her body, and a thin bark enveloped her gentle bosom; her hair became like moving leaves; her arms transformed into waving branches, and her active feet were fixed as clinging roots to the ground – her face hidden with encircling leaves. Phoebus loved the graceful tree, clinging to it and kissing its wood. He exclaimed: "Since you cannot be my spouse, surely you will be my tree! You, O laurel, shall always adorn my hair; you, my lyres, and you, my quivers. And just as my head remains youthful with unshorn locks, do you likewise wear the evergreen honors of foliage forevermore." The laurel nodded its assent with its branches, which had recently been formed. This sculpture is part of "Scan The World," a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from across the globe for public access at no cost. Scan The World is an open-source community effort; if you have interesting items nearby and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to learn how you can help.