Apollo Pursuing Daphne 1572 - 1589

"Apollo Pursuing Daphne" is an etching by Jonas Silber, a German Renaissance artist who lived from 1572 to 1590. The print depicts the Greek myth of Apollo’s pursuit of Daphne, who was transformed into a laurel tree. The scene unfolds in a circular composition, framed by a distant town and a hilly landscape. In the foreground, Apollo chases Daphne through a grassy meadow, while a winged Cupid flies overhead, symbolizing the power of love and fate. Silber’s meticulous detail and the intricate lines of the etching give a sense of depth and realism to the scene, capturing the drama and pathos of the story. This artwork is a great example of Renaissance era engraving, which popularized the reproduction of mythology.