"Apollo and Daphne" by Cristina Marsi

According to the myth, Cupid was playing with Apollo's weapons, and Apollo, elated by his recent victory above the dragon Python, mocked the child, suggesting him to find some more child-like game. Cupid didn't like the mocking and took his revenge: "Your arrows may strike all things else, Apollo, but mine shall strike you."
And he struck Apollo with a golden arrow so that the god immediately fell in love for the nimph Daphne, the daughter of the river god Peneus. The nimph however he struck with a lead arrow, which made her abhorre the thought of loving.
One day Apollo met the nimph while she was hunting. He told her about his love and promised her every sort of delights. But she didnt listen to him and fleed away. Inflamed Apollo run after her, and although she was an excellent runner, she could not outrun the god. She was already feeling his breath on the back of her neck when she reached her father's domain. Frightened she implored her father to resque her from her too ardent lover. And Peneus, listening to her words, turned her into a laurel tree. Apollo sadly watched the transformation as he held her in his arms. "Oh, lovely tree," he mourned, "you will always be mine. I will give you the gift of eternal life. Your leaves will always be green and I will wear you for my crown, I will decorate with you my harp and my quiver and victors and poets will wear your leaves as wreathes upon their brows."

Watercolor and watercolor pencils. 30*40cm