Laurel Tree, Evergreen
The Metamorphosis of Daphne
Trapani, Sicily
17th Century
Coral figure; with gilt-copper mounts; on a later square wood base
8 5/8 in. (22 cm.) high, overall
The Metamorphosis of Daphne is from the Greek mythological tale about Apollo, Daphne a nymph and Eros known as Cupid. This sculpture is currently at auction at Christie's. This sculpture was carved in Trapani, Sicily is known for creating and producing artworks with coral. During the Renaissance, coral was thought to have prophylactic powers including the ability to resolve certain health problems as well as detect the presence of poison in foods. As interesting as coral is I am going to talk about the tree that this coral is carved into— Laurus nobilis know as the Laurel evergreen tree.
Native to the Mediterranean region and Asia, the Laurus nobilis is an aromatic evergreen tree or shrub that never decay. It produces small berries which one cannot eat. However, the tree leaves are eatable and known as bay leaves that are a common cooking seasoning. Laurel trees have about 3000 species that grow around the world. In tropical regions the trees wood created cinnamon, they also are related to the avocado, and sassafras comes from the root that was used to make root beer.
The Laurel tree was known in Greek and Roman life. The tree was used in many dishes created in these cultures. It is also known as the victory plant during the Pythian Games or now known as the Olympics that honored Apollo. It was also used in fashion as the laurel wreath was worn to show high statuses such as king, queen, military, and other honorable ranks. The tree was also known for immortality, purification, prosperity, and health in Roman Cultures. Yet, in both cultures, it is strongly tied to Apollo.
This Greek mythological tale has been retold by Hellenistic and Roman authors. There are many tales about the Metamorphosis of Daphne. One of them is Apollo, known as one of the most powerful gods and a great warrior had mocked the god of love, Eros (Cupid), for his use of bow and arrow. Insulted by Apollos words, Eros then prepared two arrows: one of gold and one of lead. He shot Apollo with the gold arrow, instilling in the god a passionate love for the nymph Daphne. Then he shot Daphne with the lead arrow, instilling in her a hatred for Apollo.
Desired like Apollo’s sister Artemis, Daphne had spurned her many potential lovers but had preferred woodland sports and exploring the forest. She had dedicated herself to perpetual virginity. Her father, Peneus, the river god, tried to demand that she get married and give him grandchildren. He then later accepted she would never marry.
Apollo continually followed her. They were evenly matched in the race until Eros intervened, helping Apollo catch up to Daphne. Seeing that Apollo was bound to reach her, she called upon her father, "Help me, Peneus! Open the earth to enclose me, or change my form, which has brought me into danger! Let me be free of this man from this moment forward!" And Peneus answered her plead, as a heavy numbness seizes her limbs; her soft breasts are surrounded by a thin bark, her hair changed into the foliage, her forearms changed into branches; her foot, just now swift, now clings because of sluggish roots. She was turned into a laurel tree.
Apollo from then on vowed to honor her forever: “Always my hair will have you, my lyres will have you, my quivers will have you, laurel tree. You will be present to two Latin places when the cheerful voice sings a triumph, and they will visit the great ceremonies at the Capitoline Hill.”
Then Apollo also used his powers of eternal youth and immortality to render the Daphne evergreen. For this reason, the leaves of the Bay laurel tree do not decay. In her transformation to a laurel tree it is evident she achieved perpetual virginity, as she was confined both literally and figuratively in her new form, yet her fear of Apollo was ever-present, for even in her final form of the tree she is said to have "refugit tamen oscula lignum (556)," translating to, "the wood flees the kisses again."