In John William Waterhouse's 'Apollo and Daphne', the artist captures the dramatic moment of Daphne's transformation into a laurel tree as she flees from Apollo. This oil painting exemplifies Waterhouse's Pre-Raphaelite style and his interest in classical mythology.

John William Waterhouse, a British painter known for his Pre-Raphaelite style, created 'Apollo and Daphne'. This oil on canvas depicts a scene from Greek mythology, specifically Ovid's 'Metamorphoses'. The painting captures the moment when the nymph Daphne, fleeing from the amorous god Apollo, is transformed into a laurel tree to escape his pursuit. The composition shows Apollo reaching out to Daphne, his hand almost touching her shoulder. Daphne, her expression a mix of fear and resignation, begins her transformation; her limbs are already taking on the texture and form of bark, and leaves sprout from her hair. Apollo is depicted as a muscular figure draped in a red cloth, carrying a lyre, symbolising his association with music and poetry. The background features a river, trees, and distant mountains, creating a classical setting for the mythological event. The colour palette is dominated by earthy tones, with touches of blue and red to draw attention to the figures.