Isabelo Tampinco Collection, descriptions.: FRANCISCO MONTI… “ APOLLO AND DAPHNE.”

FRANCISCO MONTI… “ APOLLO AND DAPHNE.”

After, Bernini - Apollo and Daphne.

By Francisco R. Monti. [ 1888 – 1958 ]

cast marble.

46cm high x 18cn wide x 20cm deep.

Signed, MONTI.

Mythological legend.

When Phoebus (Apollo), fated by Cupids love-exciting arrow, sees the maiden daughter of Peneus a river god, he is filled with wonder at her beauty and consumed by desire. But Daphne has been fated by Cupids love-repelling arrow and denies the love of men. As the maiden flees he relentlessly chases her—boasting, pleading, and promising everything. When her strength is finally spent she prays to her father Peneus:

'Destroy the beauty that has injured me, or change the body that destroys my life.' Before her prayer was ended, torpor seized on all her body, and a thin bark closed around her gentle bosom, and her hair became as moving leaves; her arms were changed to waving branches, and her active feet as clinging roots were fastened to the ground—her face was hidden with encircling leaves.

Phoebus loved the graceful tree, clung to it and kissed the wood:

But since thou canst not be my spouse surely thou shalt be my tree. Thee O laurel my hair, thee my lyres, thee my quivers shall always have ... And as my head is youthful with unshorn locks, do thou likewise wear always evergreen honors of foliage. The laurel nodded assent with its branches lately made.

Description.

Monti's interpretation of Bernini's sculpture is masterful. He has stayed true to the composition and only made changes where integral strength required it.

The anatomy of both characters is perfect and the changes taking place in Daphne can be clearly seen. The bark is clinging to her right foot and climbing up her left leg to her stomach and doing the same on her back as her transformation into a tree takes place. Her hands are changing into leaves and branches as she looks back over her right shoulder past Apollo.

Apollo is holding onto her left side in the hope of stopping the transformation of Daphne into a tree.

Apollo has a cloth around his waist that flows out behind him and is draped over his left shoulder. His feet are shod with sandals.

All fingers and toes are intact and the facial features are complete.

The hair on both characters is beautifully sculptured and the detail is outstanding and Daphne's hair falls down onto the left shoulder of Apollo. The flowers and leaves around the hands of Daphne and those on the base of the tree are beautifully carved and the detail is excellent.

Francisco Monti was a marvellous sculptor and his work on anatomy is unsurpassed, as can be seen in this sculpture. This a very beautiful sculpture and very well finished.