Apollo and Daphne
1730
oil
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest
1730
oil
From the collection of Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest
This painting shows a scene from Greek mythology. Apollo, a god, is reaching out to Daphne, a woman who is transforming into a tree. She is growing leaves and branches, and her body is becoming one with the tree. The background is a landscape with trees and a blue sky. In the foreground, Apollo's facial expression shows his surprise and desire. Daphne's transformation is depicted in detail, with her skin turning into bark and her hair becoming leaves. The painting's use of color and light creates a sense of drama and tension. To learn more about the artistic technique used in this painting, look up chiaroscuro.
