Who painted Daphne Changed into a Laurel Tree?

Daphne Changed into a Laurel Tree was painted by Hendrick Goltzius in 1589.

Where can I see Daphne Changed into a Laurel Tree?

Daphne Changed into a Laurel Tree is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Daphne Changed into a Laurel Tree?

Daphne Changed into a Laurel Tree is associated with Renaissance.

Can I buy a print of Daphne Changed into a Laurel Tree?

Museum-quality prints of Daphne Changed into a Laurel Tree are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Daphne Changed into a Laurel Tree

Hendrick Goltzius , 1589

Daphne Changed into a Laurel Tree is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Hendrick Goltzius. It dates from 1589 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The engraving captures the mythological episode in which Daphne, pursued by Apollo, is transformed into a laurel tree.

Inscription: Inscribed:in plate, across lower edge: Ardebat flagrans Titan Penëida Daphnen / Illa thorum vitat devia lustra petens. / Vitat, et in laurum cita vertitur, at sua semper / Dilecta Phebus tempora fronde legit.

About this work

Overview

The engraving captures the mythological episode in which Daphne, pursued by Apollo, is transformed into a laurel tree. The composition freezes the instant of metamorphosis, showing foliage emerging directly from her head and fingertips while a second figure, armed with a bow, watches the change.

Subject & Meaning

The work illustrates the ancient tale of Daphne’s escape from the god of music, emphasizing themes of resistance and divine intervention. The juxtaposition of the fleeing hunter and the burgeoning tree underscores the tension between human desire and the natural world’s protective power.

Technique & Style

Executed as an engraving on laid paper, the image relies on fine incised lines to render delicate foliage and the rugged landscape. The artist’s control of line weight creates depth in the rocky terrain and delineates the texture of the emerging branches, characteristic of early modern printmaking.

History & Provenance

The print belongs to a period when classical myths were popular subjects for printed illustrations, often circulated among educated collectors. Its survival on laid paper suggests it was produced in a workshop that catered to a market for affordable, reproducible artworks.

Context

Set against a distant village and craggy ground, the background situates the myth within a recognizable landscape, reflecting the era’s tendency to blend antiquity with contemporary scenery. This approach made the story accessible to viewers familiar with both classical literature and everyday rural life.

Salmacis and Hermaphroditus, Hendrick Goltzius

Own this work as a print

Artist & collection

Artist

Hendrick Goltzius

Hendrick Goltzius (German: , Dutch: ; né Goltz; January or February 1558 – 1 January 1617) was a German-born Dutch printmaker, draftsman, and painter.