Daphne fleeing from Apollo, with Cupid overhead
Original title: Daphne fleeing from Apollo, with Cupid overhead
kurzbeschreibung
Willem Panneels made this etching in 1631, showing Daphne fleeing from Apollo while Cupid hovers above her. It is a print in the second state of two, measuring 16.4 × 9.2 cm.
Description
Daphne turns to the left with a plant in her hand, while Apollo stands on the right, arms outstretched toward her. Above Daphne, Cupid floats holding an arrow and looks down. Clouds and sky form a plain backdrop that frames the scene. The figures are drawn in lively motion, with sharp lines emphasizing the dynamism.
Context
Willem Panneels, a Flemish artist, worked as an assistant to Peter Paul Rubens and later created his own works. This 1631 etching emerged at a time when mythological subjects were widespread in the Baroque. Ovid's Metamorphoses, a popular source for 17th-century artists, provided the motif of Apollo's pursuit of Daphne.
Impact
The dynamic linework and expressive poses of the figures create a sense of movement and drama. The monochrome execution draws attention to the arrangement and gestures, which highlight the tension of the pursuit scene.
Technique
Etching, an intaglio process in which the drawing is incised into a metal plate bitten by acid, here shows sharp, clear lines and various shades. These demonstrate the precision of the etching technique and create contrasts that support the plasticity of the figures.
AI-generated description text
Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)