Daphne and Apollo 1796

Curator: Jacques Bouillard created this print, "Daphne and Apollo," sometime in the late 18th century. It depicts a pivotal moment from Ovid's Metamorphoses. Editor: It feels frantic, doesn't it? Apollo looks so desperate, and Daphne... she's practically mid-transformation, reaching for escape. There's something unsettlingly beautiful about it. Curator: Yes, the narrative is key. Apollo's pursuit and Daphne's plea to be turned into a laurel tree to avoid him. Bouillard captures the drama inherent in the myth—the loss of agency, the power dynamics. Editor: Agency, yes! It’s awful! But think about it: Daphne becomes a tree, rooted, powerful in a different way. Like, she reclaims her space even in transformation. It’s a little…empowering, isn't it? Curator: I see your point. This print reflects broader themes of transformation and the negotiation of power—themes that resonated deeply during the Enlightenment. Editor: Makes you think about who gets to tell the story, doesn't it? Apollo the God, or Daphne, the tree. Curator: Precisely. It's an artwork that continues to provoke thought and discussion, even centuries later. Editor: Exactly. A reminder that even in myth, there are always multiple perspectives, ready to bloom.