Artwork
Apollo and Daphne
Apollo and Daphne is a drawing by the Rococo painting artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo’s drawing captures the moment from the myth of Apollo and Daphne, portraying a figure in swift motion with arms extended as if fleeing. Executed on paper with pen and wash over an initial pencil sketch, the work emphasizes gesture and dynamism rather than fine detail, giving the viewer a sense of rapid movement.
Subject & Meaning
The composition references the ancient tale in which the god Apollo pursues the nymph Daphne, who transforms to escape his advances. By isolating the figure mid‑flight, Tiepolo foregrounds the tension between desire and evasion, inviting contemplation of the fleeting nature of pursuit and transformation inherent in the story.
Technique & Style
Tiepolo employed a rapid, gestural approach, allowing the pencil underdrawing to guide loose pen lines and brown ink washes. Areas of light remain unfilled, while selective shading creates contrast and a sense of depth. The blurred contours and energetic strokes convey motion, characteristic of preparatory studies intended to capture the essence of a pose.
History & Provenance
The sketch formed part of Tiepolo’s personal collection titled *Vari Studi e Pensieri*. It later entered the possession of Edward Cheney, then passed to Colonel Alfred Capel Cure, before being purchased by the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1885, where it remains in the drawing department.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, also known as Giambattista Tiepolo, was an Italian painter and printmaker from the Republic of Venice who painted in the Rococo style, considered an important member of the 18th-century Venetian school.
