Isn't this tree beautiful.
It is especially gorgeous in
spring when the leaves are out.
I pass it on my walks through
my neighbourhood and I always
stop and marvel at it's beauty.
To me this is Daphne,
the beautiful river nymph in
Greek mythology who was chased by the powerful
and often ruthless god Apollo.
She realized that she could not escape from
him so she pleaded with her father to protect her.
He changed her into a laurel tree
and wept knowing that
he had lost his daughter forever.
There are many beautiful interpretations
of this moment in art.
Apollo and Daphne by Bernini
I hesitate even posting a
picture of this statue since
it doesn't do it justice.
If you could see it in person
you could appreciate how each
delicate leaf that sprouts from
her fingers has been carved in marble.
Daphne's face reflects her
sorrow as she realizes her fate.
Beauty and sorrow together.
Apollo and Daphne by
John William Waterhouse
I've not always been a fan
of Waterhouse but he has started
to grow on me lately.
His subjects are often scenes from mythology
so it is always interesting to see how he
interprets classic stories
through his romantic style.
3 comments:
Waterhouse has always been one of my favorites. I have a few prints of his works hanging in my studio. One day I would like to visit the Tate museum in London to see a couple of my favorites of his in person.
Wow, that is a beautiful tree. You can really see her Dryad spirit so easily!
I've always been a fan of Waterhouse, love his romantic style and his focus on mythology in so many of his paintings.
I just bought a beautiful calender filled with Waterhouse prints that was 50% off..... I'd love to frame some of the prints.
I also just found out that one of my favourite ones
'The Lady of Shalott'
is in our art gallery.
I can't believe it's been here since 1971 and I've never seen it.
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