The artwork titled “DAPHNE AND APOLLO” by Ernst Fuchs, created in 1983, is a notable piece belonging to the Fantastic Realism art movement. Categorized as a sculpture, this work of art captures an expressive and detailed representation of its mythological subjects, Daphne and Apollo.
The sculpture depicts two elegant figures, standing upright and intertwined with a sense of fluidity and motion. The figure on the left, representing Apollo, is portrayed with a refined physique, a classical stance, and an upward gaze, as his hair transforms into flames or leaves, symbolizing his divine nature. The figure on the right, representing Daphne, is depicted with a graceful form, merging seamlessly into tree roots or bark at her feet, reflecting her transformation into a laurel tree. Both figures are detailed with intricate textures, embodying a harmonious blend of human form and nature, characteristic of Ernst Fuchs’s imaginative and visionary style. The use of bronze or a similar metal gives the sculpture a timeless and enduring quality, emphasizing both the mythological narrative and the technical skill of the artist.