Illustration for Long’s novel Daphnis and Chloe2 Konstantin Andreevich Somov (1869-1939)

In this pastoral illustration, a young man, naked from the waist up and wearing a simple loincloth and straw hat, is kneeling on the ground in a lush, sun-dappled woodland setting. He is leaning towards a young woman, who is seated and dressed in a light-colored, ruffled dress and has her hair tied up with a red ribbon. The mans head is bowed, and his hand is gently touching the womans leg, near her hem. Her posture suggests a receptive or perhaps demure response, with her head tilted slightly and a soft expression on her face. The foliage above them creates a sense of intimacy and privacy, with dappled light filtering through the leaves, highlighting their figures.
The subtext of this image is one of nascent romance and idyllic love, typical of pastoral literature. The figures are depicted in a natural, untamed environment, suggesting a return to a simpler, purer form of existence and love, free from the complexities of society. The gentle interaction between Daphnis and Chloe, the legendary lovers from Greek romance, implies innocence, tenderness, and the dawning of physical affection within a burgeoning emotional connection. The natural setting itself acts as a metaphor for their blossoming relationship – verdant, growing, and uninhibited. The overall mood is one of romantic innocence and the beauty of nature intertwined with the natural progression of love.