Bernini, Apollo and Daphne

Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Apollo and Daphne, 1622-25, Carrara marble, 243 cm high (Galleria Borghese, Rome)
A conversation with Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
Learn more: smarthistory.org
Please note: this is a new version - publish date: December 3, 2016

[@cristianfcao]

The ONLY bad thing about the Galleria Borghese is that you only have two hours to watch it all, and this sculpture alone is worth those two hours. I've seen a lot of sculpture in Europe, but this one is absolutely mesmerizing.

[@andyroo9381]

This has to be one of the most beautiful statues ever created. It is so fluid that it could never be just a marble sculpture. It is just incredible.

[@youssefelbouty]

I can listen to their voices infinitely. Their art interpretation is fabulous. Last but not least the statues' hair is astonishing.

[@dahliagustafson2949]

Getting to see this sculpture in person was life changing for me. It was so affirming that I am studying the right thing by being an art history major.

[@smaakjeks]

The stunning beauty of this sculpture moved me to tears. I am simply in awe.

[@clintfultz5972]

I saw this in person on November 12, 2017. I have seen many great pieces of sculpture in many different countries. This is the best ever. Best sculpture in the history of mankind!

[@bodaleedalo]

Stunningly tearful

[@mythosandlogos]

I love Ovid’s story, with the little touch at the end, that Daphne sees this as a way for her wild beauty to be appreciated, while she can still be free.

[@AlondraRuizHernandez]

can my job be a professional Bernini admirer

[@deborahpondermance2795]

No matter how many times I have seen it, I never get over the awe I feel in the presence of this sculpture!

[@daveygivens735]

How, in God's name, does a man achieve that kind of articulation in the robes, the leaves, from a piece of rock?? You don't get a do-over. You get it right the first time. It's beyond explanation.

[@buddys_dad]

Bernini was a god

[@IanAvery]

I can't even write this reply without Control + Z

[@alanhilkene537]

Spot on Davey - how can one carve a sprig of leaves!!

[@IAmWhatIAm7573]

ET.

[@sameenergy9414]

3d printer technology

[@convanjo]

You two can totally turn the conversation into an Italian opera.

[@alexdavinci9533]

Bernini wasn't human; he was devine.

[@smaakjeks]

Kind of makes you proud to belong to the same species as him. Look what we are capable of.

[@gaucho69gaucho71]

ET!

[@UPAKHOSALA]

@@smaakjeks absolutely right , it is a skill not talent , created my right suppor system in right time.

[@UPAKHOSALA]

Created by right supporting system

[@thomervin7450]

@@UPAKHOSALA Yes, the right support system being the universe and planet earth.

[@406ks]

this is quite a thing to see in person, such thin pieces of marble a true master

[@oliviaz3395]

Just so you guys know, my whole History of Art year have nicknamed you two our parents. Amazing help especially when cramming for exams!

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Well that's a bit embarrassing, but very flattering too! Where are you taking art history?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Please say hello to everyone for us! And do let us know if there are any new videos or essays that we can make that would be particularly helpful.

[@oliviaz3395]

Smarthistory. art, history, conversation. In Ireland :) your fans are global!

[@luaevablue]

Baroque sculpture! This is exactly what I'm learning on school right now, thank you so much! I love this channel.

[@zoefang4563]

This is my favorite sculpture by Bernini

[@davideascaniovisconti-borg459]

Best English-speaking channel about art. Bravi!

[@sujatay8634]

He made alive Apollo and Daphne in marble. So exquisite it took my breath away. Surely it was the Divine that guided Bernini's hands.

[@TheKrywolff]

I know the statue was intended to be displayed against a wall, but I find that walking around the statue gives you the chance to see it come alive. On one side, she still looks so human, and from other angles you can only see the tree. One angle you see the chase, another angle you see her stopping in her tracks.

[@arthurmartins5495]

The best youtube channel of all!!!!

[@AbdulAvenue]

Arthur Martins it’s a great Channel but “the best channel of all” NOPE!

[@magicknight13]

Arthur Martins I quite agree!!

[@Naynin]

I absulutely adore this statue. I volunteerily present this awesome masterpiece in class in some days and I just looked by to watch some videos of others about it. This one is the best!

[@Sharpie951HD]

Seeing it in real life is quite surreal. Highly recommend a guided tour around Galleria Borghese

[@JimmyFoxhound]

Stunning!! Thank you so much for the video. I love seeing these sculptures, they're just amazing!

[@fjbxhmfnxsb8767]

Gosh this is truely breath taking

[@ranomuk6369]

Poetry in vision and whispers in motion, thanks a lot..what an experience!!!

[@MsValerie123]

I truly appreciate these History Tours online. If Im moved by the stories of the Arts online, I can image how I shall be moved to tears if I were standing in front of the Arts. I luv all museums, especially, those with wonderful Tour Guides. Thank you so very much for being great Tour Guides.

[@ShelleeGraham]

Beautifully crafted short film on the exquisite Bernini sculpture “Apollo and Daphne.” Loved the nearly hushed voices of the male and female narrators. Great script and images. Very nice work here.

[@ericajoannaliwanag2283]

Its Incredible. Absolutely incredible. The detail the skill, the talent, the time and effort put into this art is magnificent. I mean how did he even carve the leaf and branches with hammer and a chisel ? Amazing.

[@sameenergy9414]

Maybe they had 3d printer technology back then. History is a lie.

[@dovahkiin2259]

Thank you so much for showcasing and explaining great works of art like this. Specially important to those of us who can't travel.

[@Luc-uw8ur]

I’ve been to the Villa Borghese some 15 years ago, but I didn’t appreciate sculptures then. I can’t even remember seeing this sculpture. How ignorant was I…. This is truely amasing!!! Thank you for enlightening me! 👍💕

[@whatsup4616]

What a masterpiece!😍

[@GeneNievesque]

As beautifully expressed as the sculpture itself, is your description.

[@jonjosenna5581]

Bernini was a genius

[@watch-Dominion-2018]

the beauty of this never fails to mesmerise and capture me

[@Le-Abdollen]

this statue in particular and the way you talk about it always makes my eyes water 🥲

[@susanblackmith3747]

Marvelous. Thank you for sharing

[@lunadog71]

Thank you for this exquisitely crafted video.

[@Sasha0927]

🥹 Both versions of this video were amazing, but the bit of myth at the end of this one got me in the feels, lol. The gorgeous camera angles and edits further enhanced it. It all converged on this bittersweet, slightly dramatic, and poetic experience. A lovely way to wind down the day... I think I'll share this one with one of my favorite online communities and see what they have to say...

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Let us know

[@Sasha0927]

@@smarthistory-art-history You got it. Still considering when is best to post... The internet tends to go limp on weekends. I don't want anyone to miss this! I'll see how traffic flows and keep you posted. 🙂

[@LazlosPlane]

Magnificent. One should, after viewing this, listen to Richard Strauss's "Daphne," -the final transformation scene at the end of the opera.

[@DirkRevisited]

Subscribed because of this clip. Very well done. Thank you for sharing.

[@barbarajclark]

Informative. Helpful discussion.

[@denikoka5899]

Those statues are just marvelous, they look so lifelike it is crazy

[@melchris1301]

Love this piece! Ughhh so beautiful

[@basictoglamchictravels]

Stunning work of art 👏

[@zoefang4563]

One of my favorite sculptures.

[@alanhilkene537]

Anyone desirous of a fulfilled life MUST visit the sites of rest of the great outputs of man's genius! Italy harbors vast depositories of sculpture, painting and architecture of structure and also music and writings of genius. The future of succeeding generations are blessed with these gifts of exquisite examples of their genius!!

[@camaramarcelo]

Great video! Thanks

[@5PuaAloha]

It's too difficult for me to accept this as a sculpture; to me, no hammer and chisel is capable of creating such delicate leaves, flowing garments, and capture such emotion in their faces. No, I can't, I try, Is there anyone alive today that can match it?

[@aalb1873]

5PuaAloha I think today don’t exist any sculptor who can do this.

[@mercoid]

I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a handful of sculptors out there who can can come very close to achieving or even matching some of the forms Bernini created here on a purely technical basis, but I seriously doubt anyone alive today can match his artistic expression in the medium, particularly on such a scale as this.

[@RandomUser00025]

@@aalb1873 Jago Jacopo Cardillo

[@RandomUser00025]

Jago Jacopo Cardillo

[@RandomUser00025]

@@mercoid Jago Jacopo Cardillo

[@brynmawr27]

Beyond sublime.

[@titancloud]

So moving, thank you

[@i.c.a.productionsbyr.p.]

this is a "renaissance" of the souls of the entire people in this planet ♥♥♥♥♥

[@daveandeiffert5605]

I adore this work. It may be my favorite.

[@lucianochujanniere6157]

Simplement Magnifique !

[@alfredoechevarrieta7512]

No se puede creer, pero ahí está. Gracias

[@unityindia8973]

Incredible statue 👌🌸🌼 Finishing of Marble 👌

[@ponyrang]

Wow, My best friend, Thank you for your hard work in making the video. I enjoyed the good video. Have a happy day.

[@imhotepjasonduncanson6068]

Thank you for this history lesson.

[@kgpartsi]

*Carrara marble. Your videos are stupendous. Keep up the good work.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Oops! Thanks.

[@orbitalsatellite]

Astounding!

[@ModelTrainers]

Amazing!!

[@jimbatsis963]

Incredible work it’s a miracle 👏🇦🇺🇬🇷

[@naraartmusic2855]

🙏👌Wow, the best art, the best painting, the best video.💟👍

[@josediazdiaz8001]

Wonderfull masterpiece

[@fredsstory]

Thank you so much for this fascinating and informative analysis of the sculpture. I learned so much in five minutes! Apollo and Daphne is one of my favorites and have been fortunate to see it two times. I would like to ask about one aspect of the sculpture. In his recent biography, "Bernini His Life and His Rome," Franco Mormando mentions on p. 45, speaking about the amazing roots, twigs and leaves, mentions: "In fact, these parts of the statue were all done by Giuliano Finelli, a tuscan sculptor of enormous creative talent, not just a stone carver with mere technical ability...at no point did Bernini or his first biographers ever acknowledge Finelli's contributions to the Apollo and Daphne." Not that this in any way diminishes the genius and spectacular beauty of Bernini's work and the practice may have been common in many artistic workshops of the 17th century. I would be interested in hearing from Dr's Harris and Zucker on this matter.

[@bradpolak6793]

I finally saw this statue in april and it instantly became my new favorite Sorry Michelangelo

[@thiagogaunacruz6190]

gracias a los que pusieron subtitulos, ya me estaba perdiendo

[@RRealProdigy]

Amazing

[@Midnightgeek782]

Very well narrated. Helped me so much for futhur understanding of this. Bernini is legend. Thank you

[@profejuba8187]

Aos alunos da profe Juba Maluca, canto inferior direito do vídeo, HABILITAR LEGENDA e TRADUZIR AUTOMATICAMENTE, selecione #PORTUGUÊS.

[@chiefindisguise]

Incredible

[@aseeatoma8556]

Very good

[@bhavyasrivastava1616]

Why did I find this channel so lately?

[@KevinDixon]

I love this

[@evrodsamuel9582]

beautiful

[@phana3922]

It's so stunning. I wonder how long it take to make this sculpture?

[@gazatkinson5288]

warm light about 3 years

[@adeeljutt8323]

Great 👍

[@user-um5ox2ce4b]

Потрясающе

[@annsh6906]

Apollo,the God of music and poetry/Daphne,nymph associated with fountains wells and streams...Beautifully made by artist Bernini.

[@riverwildcat1]

How did Bernini do it? It's STONE. Miracle.

[@nordfaen]

BEAUTIFUL

[@edthoreum7625]

great thanks! more focus (?)on these stones,,,,how long to make this sculpture,,,# of artist ,,,comparison to mickey's Moses, which is turning grey,,,,& in the market what is the value,,,,,???? merci!!!c

[@ovh992]

Bernini is the master of the moment!

[@maxxxstrong4577]

Thank you two for doing the work of the Gods.

[@guinea.hill.homestead]

Last night I had a vivid dream of someone dying and transforming into a tree. This led me to learn about Apollo and Daphne for the first time today. In my dream every memory she ever had poured onto the earth as a large irradesent puddle.

[@nelsonx5326]

Nice.

[@johnthackery827]

So, how were these intricate marble carvings done back in 1600s. What were the techniques. Can this type of work be done today without using high speed tools? Truly amazing.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

Chisels, hand drills, phenomenal skill, and brilliant insight were only part of the formula. Some artists still carve in marble, but the circumstances that brought about this sculpture will never be repeated-it will never be 1622 again.

[@johnthackery827]

Smarthistory , Thank you for your kind response. I was viewing The Disinganno located in the San Servo Chapel a few minutes ago which prompted my question. That sculpture is incredible. I just wonder what has happened to human kind ? Lost the ability? Lack of patrons? Not willing to dedicate time? Some of the works in marble a person can see individual extremely fine woven threads of fabric represented. I had seen unidentified pictures of two individual sculptures, however nearly identical. They were perhaps twin girls wearing fine flowing clothes. Their clothes had every tiny thread and stitch represented. One of the girls had a blemish on her leg where the other did not. As if the girls were twins in different poses. Those statues though sculpted in marble seemed truly alive. Would you perhaps know where these works are located and who sculpted them? The art work of the past is truly a mystery. I did research on the tools that you mentioned. Bow saws, push drills , string saws, files, picks, abrasives. I also realized that small pocket watches were being made in the 1500s Thank you again. Best regard. J.

[@smarthistory-art-history]

That's in Naples right? - I've only been to the archaeological museum there so can't be of much help.

[@johnthackery827]

Smarthistory, I really appreciate your time. Thank you. Must have been exciting to have traveled to Italy. Correct , the San Servo Chapel is in Naples. That was a huge long shot on asking a question about those girls, I know. I will however continue to search for them and make other discoveries on the way. Those girls were in a documentary by newearth . The title is 38 "Impossible Statues" Ancient Jewellery , Moscow on KZbin. I left a message that was unanswered. I need to quit watching documentaries with the premise that our ancestors could not have possibly accomplished this or that because we can't do today. Best regards. J.

[@johnthackery827]

Smarthistory. I located the sculptures. I searched for a few hours. I finally searched marble sculpture girl in palace , went right to this page. Thank you for aiding in my research about the technique. www.google.com/search?q=alupka+vorontsov+palace+girl&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=vGme5Y-0lMk48M%253A%252C8yPeigkCkCS1jM%252C_&usg=__SA0afdOjiArNWTxT-Rp8kbZxU9c%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiO9KyRgo7ZAhXLlVQKHTAXCCQQ9QEIPDAD#imgdii=pempVuj52Dw9eM:&imgrc=vGme5Y-0lMk48M:

[@watch-Dominion-2018]

what happened to Apollo's left eye?

[@michaelexman5474]

That is very interesting :-)

[@HayashiManabu]

That's a really nice translation of Ovid at the end, which translation is it?

[@smarthistory-art-history]

We give that information with all the other citations in the end card.

[@HayashiManabu]

@@smarthistory-art-history I see, thanks!

[@user-vz4wp8ow8h]

Wow

[@chabaudmariette1172]

💙 !💟 !⚘ magnifique !

[@user-vt2mk1mo1t]

感谢字幕组）

[@u.k.rayssculptures24]

It's Bernini who could put life into stone. He is God of stone sculpture.

[@aaish1401]

Love♥️

[@minhcuong1823]

Bức tượng đẹp quá

[@martinlarocque5638]

Standing in front of this sculpture, i had one foot in heaven...

[@modskaacidpunk4794]

Up there with the magnificence of India's stonework

[@bbbcentredart4656]

stylé

[@franklesser5655]

It's impossible to chisel a sculpture like that out of stone.

[@celiathyola9660]

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@teebee1204]

"Rather than be beloved by Apollo" Don't you mean, "Rather than be raped by Apollo?"