Nicole Page-Smith
Your voyage home goes by churches and another day is tomorrow.
Bernini grew like the leaves of the Apollo and Daphne, sculpture, grew out of Daphne's hands only to remain with firm roots in the earth. Popes and churches, architecture and museums are testament to Bernini, maybe, Rome's favoured sculptor, although, Michelangelo is more, well known. We walk along again as though the roots attached to our feet are getting in the way.
Ancient ruins and the Vatican are like streets well worn by centuries gone by, you can feel the history and Michelangelo is better known for his painting in the Sistine Chapel.
As the foliage grows over my face, I am reminded of Bernini, again.
Foliage, growing on trees and the leaves crumble underfoot as you walk, you feel you are in a forest twirling around and around Bernini's Apollo and Daphne sculpture. Instead, reminded of books on the subject, you turn another page to realise the monstrous influence of the history of Hellenistic philosophy. Bulginging leg muscles are refined in a classical revival and the skill of genius needs another god. You are not reminded of forests old warriors once traipsed through but more the burning battlefields.
Forest of imaginings and idyllic places for gods, only...
Apollo and Daphne, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, c. 1622-1625, Galleria Borghese, Rome, Italy
