Bernini's Baroque Masterpieces
What to watch
The myth of Apollo and Daphne, tells us how Apollo, god of reason, music and poetry, was shot with an arrow from Cupid’s bow which made him fall in love with the first person he saw - Daphne, a beautiful wood nymph. However, Daphne was definitely not interested and ran away from Apollo, who continued to pursue her. Luckily Daphne called upon her father, the river god Peneus, to help her, which he did. Still, unluckily for Daphne in order to halt Apollo’s advances her father had to transform Daphne into a laurel tree. Baroque sculptor, Bernini manages to capture the actual moment of transformation in marble. To learn more about this extraordinary sculpture watch our new film, presented by Academy lecturer Helen Oakden.
Did You Know...
Bernini loved to write and stage his own plays. This does make sense, considering his aptitude for depicting dramatic scenes. (And Baroque art is characterised by dramatic narratives). Artists often represented the most exciting moment of a story to provoke an emotional response from the viewer. ‘Apollo and Daphne’ is on display in the Borghese Gallery, Rome, alongside another one of Bernini’s works ‘Rape of Proserpina’ which likewise captures the climax of the story. Learn more about this other work and why Bernini is considered a Baroque master by watching our film presented by young presenter Mimi now.