How does this artwork elucidate its Description?
The sculpture shows the characteristic elongation of the body which is typical of Bernini's so-called late style. The young prophet is kneeling, and his right foot is licked by the tame lion. Daniel is praying fervently, he reaches out to the right from the niche while his head turns up to God, the father depicted on the mosaic of the dome. The drapery is flowing in angular folds from the shoulders and across his loin.
There are obvious thematic and visual parallels with the statue of Jonah by Lorenzetto in the chapel. Both stories symbolize the escape from death by the grace of God, and death threatens both prophets in the form of a dangerous beast, in the case of Jonah, the whale and in the case of Daniel, the lion. The prophets are youthful, athletic heroes, more like ancient gods than the typical bearded men of the Old Testament. The head of Jonah was inspired by the ancient statues of Antinous; and Bernini also chose an ancient model for the head of Daniel, Alexander the Great.
Alexander the Great mosaic of the dome Lorenzetto Antinous Old Testament