Daphnis

Daphnis is a poplar panel painting attributed to Palma Vecchio, executed in 1514. The work belongs to the mythological genre and measures 19.6 cm in height by 16.4 cm in width. It depicts the pastoral deity Daphnis in a composition that combines nudity, drapery, a syrinx and a cittern within a landscape.

The painting has been part of the Bavarian State Painting Collections since its acquisition and is exhibited in the Alte Pinakothek’s small gallery 4 on the upper floor. Its creation is linked to the High Renaissance Venetian school, reflecting the stylistic traits of that period.

The painting Daphnis by Palma Vecchio is housed in the Bavarian State Painting Collections and is on view in the small gallery 4 of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich. It is executed on poplar wood and measures 19.6 cm by 16.4 cm, dating to 1514. The work belongs to the mythological genre and is classified as a High Renaissance piece within the Venetian school.

Its presence in the museum’s permanent display reflects its inclusion in the institution’s catalogue, though no specific accession number is recorded in the available documentation.

The painting Daphnis by Palma Vecchio, executed in 1514 on poplar wood, is housed in the Bavarian State Painting Collections and displayed in the Alte Pinakothek's small gallery 4. As a mythological work within the High Renaissance Venetian school, it exemplifies the era’s interest in pastoral narratives and nudity, and has been referenced in scholarly discussions of Palma Vecchio’s oeuvre and the development of mythological painting in Italy. Its inclusion in a major public collection has contributed to ongoing assessments of the artist’s role in bridging High Renaissance technique with poetic subject matter.

Palma Vecchio, a Venetian artist of the Italian High Renaissance, completed Daphnis in 1514. This painting on poplar wood depicts the mythological figure Daphnis within a natural landscape, holding a musical instrument. The work exemplifies the artistic trends of its period, characterized by a focus on classical themes and a harmonious rendering of form and setting. It is currently housed in the collection of the Alte Pinakothek.

The artist, Jacopo Negretti, adopted the name Palma Vecchio, or "Palma the Elder," to distinguish himself from his great-nephew, Palma il Giovane, who also became a notable painter. This naming convention helped clarify their individual contributions within the Venetian art scene. Palma Vecchio's work, including Daphnis, reflects the artistic environment of early 16th-century Venice, known for its rich color and attention to light.