Daphne 1953

"Daphne" (1953) is a striking ink drawing by renowned sculptor Ossip Zadkine. The artwork presents a stylized figure intertwined with a tree, seemingly morphing into its form. This fusion evokes the mythical transformation of Daphne into a laurel tree to escape the advances of Apollo, capturing the moment of metamorphosis. Zadkine's characteristic expressive lines, bold shapes, and powerful imagery create a dramatic scene, a quintessential example of his exploration of human existence and nature's transformative power. This work is a poignant reminder of the enduring themes in Zadkine’s art: the human condition, the power of nature, and the search for meaning in life.