APOLLO 239
Apollo and Daphne, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680). Marble, 1624; height 96 in. Like
Pollaiuolo, Bernini has chosen the moment when swift movement is stopped. The sculp-
tor brilliantly incorporates the psychological tensions of Ovid's narrative, frozen in the
moment of metamorphosis. The contrast between Apollo, adapted from the famous Apollo
Belvedere, and the agitated emotions of Daphne serves to heighten the tragedy. On the
base (not shown) are inscribed Ovid's description of the metamorphosis (Metamorphoses
- 519-521) and two Latin lines by the future Pope Urban VIII: "Every lover who pur-
sues the joys of fleeing beauty fills his hands with leaves or plucks bitter berries." (Gal-
leria Borghese, Rome, Italy. Courtesy of Alinari/Art Resource, New York.)