Borghese Gallery
Yesterday we went to the Borghese Gallery. Even though we had to get up SUPER early to get there, it was totally worth it. I am totally an early riser so I didn’t mind that much. Although everyone else seemed to mind how unaffected I was by lack of sleep…it is just the powers of positive thinking!
When visiting, one the statues that personally caught my eye was the statue of Apollo and Daphne by Bernini. Apollo was a ladies man who thought he could get any women he wanted. When Daphne did not want to succumb to Apollo, she fled and called out to her father. In order to save her, her father turned her into a tree. Apollo was so impressed by Daphne’s courageousness and the love between her and her father that he took leaves from her tree in order to make a crown. This is where laurel crowns come. Before visiting this museum, I had no idea whom Daphne was or the significance behind the laurel crown. At a time where women were not always respected, it also is very interesting that Apollo respected Daphne enough to always have a symbol of her; especially one that has held over to present day. As this is being depicted in the sculpture, the delicateness of the leaves still shows, even though it is made of solid marble. Daphne’s transition from nymph to tree looks elegant and the detail to which Bernini created the sculpture is astounding.
It made me really miss my family odd enough. The other statue by Bernini about the seasons I really liked as well. The detail on that was amazing. You could literally see the tension in the skin of the statue, it looked more like fabric than marble. So cool.
We also went bike riding!!! I didn’t have my camera and I was so upset! The view at some of the places was absolutely beautiful! Also, Adam and I were a pretty awesome riding team.
