us that romanticism comes in many forms. This painting dwells in one of my lifelong pet peeves. The romanticisation of hard work, especially physical labor bugs me. This irritating practice shows up in all aspects of life – even art.
Nature versus Man whips like wind through the painting Approaching Storm. Eugène Boudin often painted the moneyed and middle class. Their fancy finery struck a wry contrast with Mother Nature.
What twists await in the Apollo and Daphne painting?
• The God Apollo’s Me Too moment.
• Daphne prefers life as a tree over Apollo’s advances.
• In Apollo and Daphne – her choice is everything.