Italian, Venice
Mirror (Specchiera): Apollo and Daphne, 19th century
Gilded poplar and mirrored glass, 80 x 87.6 cm (31 1/2 x 34 1/2 in.)
This engraved, horizontal, Italian mirror with an ornate gilded poplar frame depicts the god Apollo in amorous pursuit of the river nymph Daphne. Apollo, on our right, is running, his left arm and hand in front of him, his fingers extended. His right hand is at his waist and holds his bow. He wears a short toga with a cape, his garments flying in the wind. His belt, neckline, quiver and garters are bright silver-colored. He has neck-length wavy hair. His head is encircled by a halo of incised lines. Behind him in the right corner is a tree with four branches topped by leaves. A smaller, similar tree is between Apollo and Daphne, who is shown on our left. Beneath the figures the ground appears uneven and sparsely vegetated. Daphne, like Apollo, is muscular and dressed in a short, flowing garment with a cape that billows in the air. She has long, flowing tresses down her back that stream away from her body. There are silvery highlights at her waist, her right shoulder and the garters on her legs. She has implored her father, the river god Peneus, to save her from the unwanted attentions of her pursuer Apollo and Peneus has granted her plea by transforming her into a laurel tree. The transformation has begun; her left arm is extended straight out before her, her right arm is down at her side: the fingers on both hands have changed into branches with leaves on them. The mirror frame is carved with curved, flowing garlands and rosettes.
Gilded poplar and mirrored glass, 80 x 87.6 cm (31 1/2 x 34 1/2 in.)