Apollo and Daphne This famous Sculpture is by the famous Italian sculptor, Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini (15981680). It was inspired by one of the stories included in Ovid's Metamorphoses. The Story Behind the Sculpture: In the story, Apollo, god of prophecy, sees the young Eros, god of love, playing with his bow and arrows and remarks. In retribution for this reproach, Eros wounds Apollo with a golden arrow, causing him to fall in love with the nymph daughter of the river God, Peneus. Eros additionally wounds the beautiful nymph, Daphne, with a lead arrow, thus insuring she would not be wooed by Apollo's advances. (In fact, the arrow's power was so strong that Daphne forthwith refused all of her lovers.) Apollo, struck with the golden arrow of love, pleads with Daphne to fulfill his desire. Daphne, repulsed by the idea, begins to flee. Even as she runs, he is more captivated by her beauty. Apollo grows impatient and soon, sped by Eros, gains on her. With slower speed and failing strength, Daphne cries out to her father just as Apollo captures her. Not a moment later, Daphne's skin tUrns to bark, her hair leaves, her arms branches, her feet roots, and her face a treetop. In only a moment, Peneus protects his daughter by tUrning her into a laurel tree. After the transformation Apollo still embraces the tree. He cuts off some of her branches and leaves to make a wreath and proclaims the laurel as a sacred tree. Bronze Dimensions with Marble Base: Height 23 X Width 20 inches. Weight: 40 LBS.

This item is in great condition.