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A few years ago, I found myself in front of my favorite statue in the history of European art: Bernini's Apollo and Daphne.

My film crew and I were at Rome’s Borghese Gallery to shoot “Rick Steves Art of Europe” — six hours devoted to Europe's great art and architecture, which you can stream for free (and ad-free) at www.ricksteves.com/art.

As my crew set up, I was able to take my time appreciating the breathtaking beauty of this dramatic statue, displayed in the very room Bernini sculpted it for. When you visit the Borghese Gallery in person, the statue reveals itself exactly as the artist intended.

Starting from behind, you see only a man’s backside. But as you begin circling around the side, you realize it’s the god Apollo, running at full speed, his cloak whipping behind him. He’s chasing after a beautiful woman, the nymph Daphne. Apollo is starry-eyed, having been struck by Cupid’s arrow, making him crazy in love with Daphne. But Daphne’s running away, horrified. Apollo is catching up — he reaches out to grab her by the hip. Desperate, Daphne calls out to her father, a river god, to save her.

It’s only when you circle around to the front that Bernini reveals the story’s surprise ending. Magically, Daphne is saved from Apollo’s embrace by turning into a tree. In good Baroque fashion, Bernini captures the dramatic split second when the terrified nymph’s fingers begin to sprout leaves, her toes become roots, and Apollo is in for one rude surprise.

This striking statue by the twenty-something Bernini was a tour de force of sculpting. He was a master of marble, carving supple flesh out of hard stone: you can see Daphne’s love handles, and Apollo’s fingers press in as if it were real skin. Bernini used only the finest Carrara marble — renowned for its softness and creamy, ivory hue. Bernini chipped away to reveal the most delicate of features — the statue is almost more air than stone. Apollo’s back leg defies gravity. The exquisitely carved marble leaves at

New TV Series: Rick Steves Art of Europe Rick's new six-hour TV series, Rick Steves Art of Europe, is out! It's airing and streaming on public television stations nationwide (check your local listings) or you can watch all six hours right here. Join Rick for an ambitious sweep through the entire span of European art history. Beginning in p...

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