Daphne in Lorberbaum

Title

Daphne in Lorberbaum

Period

1550-1600;

Geographic

Thessaly

Ancient Greece

Description

This image depicts Phoebus, the archer god, in pursuit of Daphne, the daughter of the river god Peneus. Cupid, who is depicted flying above Phoebus and Daphne, had struck the two with arrows. The arrow that struck Phoebus made him fall in love with Daphne, and the arrow that hit Daphne made her dispel the love of Phoebus and flee from him. Daphne calls out to her father for help, as she wishes nothing more than to evade Phoebus and his desire for her. Daphne’s father, Peneus, answers her cries for help and transforms her into a laurel tree. This is illustrated in the engraving as her legs are turning into the roots of the tree, and her arms begin to change into the branches of the tree. Phoebus is depicted with his arms stretched outwards as he was just about to catch Daphne before she transformed.

Image Creator

Virgil Solis (Engraver)

Type

Text

Woodcut Engraving

Identifier

mta:20955

Language

ger

Source Name

P. Ouidij Nasonis, deß Sinnreichen und hochverstendigen Poeten, Metamorphoses oder Verwandlung, mit schönen figuren gezieret, auch kurzen Argumenten und außlegungen erkläret, und in Teutsche Reymen gebracht, durch Johann Spreng von Augspurg [Publius Ovidius Naso, the Ingenious and Highly Understandable Poet, Metamorphoses or Transformations, Adorned with Beautiful Images, and also descriptions of Short Arguments and Explanations, Brought into German Rhymes by Johann Spreng of Augsburg]

Parent Collection

1564 Frankfurt Spreng

Image

mta_20955_OBJ.jpg

Collection

Ovid's Metamorphoses

Subject

Roman Mythology

Transformation

Greek Mythology

Gods

Phoebus

Apollo

Daphne

Cupid

Unrequited Love