Artwork
Concert of Cupids
Concert of Cupids is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Nicolas Poussin. It dates from 1627 and is held in the collection of the Department of Paintings of the Louvre. Created in 1627, this oil on canvas presents a small group of five nude infants engaged in a leisurely pastime amid a pastoral setting.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1627, this oil on canvas presents a small group of five nude infants engaged in a leisurely pastime amid a pastoral setting. The scene unfolds against a muted backdrop of trees and distant hills, rendered in subdued earth tones that emphasize the gentle atmosphere of the composition.
Subject & Meaning
The children are depicted playing with foliage and a stringed instrument, one clutching a laurel wreath—a classical emblem of triumph and honor. Their carefree interaction evokes mythological themes associated with Cupid and the notion of love’s playful, victorious spirit.
Technique & Style
The work reflects the early Baroque sensibilities of its creator, employing subtle contrasts of light and shadow to model the figures. A modest impasto gives texture to the foliage and garments, while the restrained palette of browns and greens underscores the serene, naturalistic tone.
History & Provenance
Attributed to the French painter Nicolas Poussin, the canvas entered the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, where it remains on display. Its attribution aligns with Poussin’s early period, prior to his later classical phase.
Artist & collection
Artist
Nicolas Poussin (UK: , US: , French: ; June 1594 – 19 November 1665) was a leading painter of the classical French Baroque style, although he spent most of his working life in Rome.
Museum
Department of Paintings of the Louvre
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