Apollo and Daphne

Per Gustaf Floding

1762

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century Mythology

About this work

The painting depicts a scene from Greek mythology, where Apollo is chasing Daphne. Daphne is shown transforming into a laurel tree, with her arms and legs turning into branches and leaves. Apollo is reaching out to grab her, but she is slipping away from him. In the background, there are some trees and clouds, which add to the sense of movement and drama in the scene. The overall effect is one of dynamic energy and tension, as if the figures are about to leap off the page. This painting is an example of Romanticism, a movement that emphasized emotion and imagination. To learn more about this style, you can explore the work of other Romantic artists.