A Tale of Love and Hate in Ferdinando Tacca’s Apollo and Daphne

Apollo and Daphne, attributed to Ferdinando Tacca (1619-1686), Italian, Florence, circa 1640-1650 A masterpiece of movement and technical virtuosity, Ferdinando Tacca’s Apollo and Daphne is the most dynamic of the master sculptor’s small-scale bronze compositions. Representing one of the greatest tales of classical antiquity, it combines the contrasting emotions of Apollo who has been struck by Cupid’s arrow of love, with the nymph Daphne, who Cupid has mischievously struck with an arrow of hate. Sold for £322,000 at Sotheby’s Old Master Sculpture & Works of Art Sale on 4 December 2018 in London.