Artwork
Extreme Unction
Extreme Unction is an oil painting by the Spanish Baroque Tenebrist artist Nicolas Poussin. It dates from 1638 and is held in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum.
About this work
Poussin created this particular piece between 1638 and 1640 as part of that larger set.
Extreme Unction is an oil painting by the French artist Nicolas Poussin, dated 1638. The work belongs to a series of seven scenes that illustrate the Catholic sacraments.
Poussin created this particular piece between 1638 and 1640 as part of that larger set. It shows how the artist tackled religious subjects in the early part of his career.
If you’re curious for more, you can see it at the Fitzwilliam Museum.
Overview
Extreme Unction is an oil painting by Nicolas Poussin, created between 1638 and 1640 as one of seven works depicting the Catholic sacraments. Commissioned by Cassiano dal Pozzo in Rome, it showcases Poussin's early career approach to religious subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The painting illustrates the sacrament of Final Anointing, where a dying man is anointed with oil according to early Roman church rites. Poussin confronts themes of death and mortality, drawing inspiration from classical antiquity and ancient Greek art, notably challenging the legacy of Apelles.
Technique & Style
Poussin employs a classicising approach, incorporating authentic classical costumes, settings, and figure postures. Characterized by sobriety, control, and a stark, lyrical line, the work utilizes precise light and shadow play to evoke deep emotional resonance.
History & Provenance
Commissioned by Cassiano dal Pozzo in Rome, the painting is part of a set of seven sacrament scenes. Now housed at the Fitzwilliam Museum, its creation dates back to Poussin's time in Rome (1638-1640).
Legacy
Extreme Unction significantly influenced Western art, impacting notable painters from Jacques-Louis David and Ingres to Cézanne and Picasso. Poussin's ideas on painting continue to inspire artists to this day, despite the initial perceived remoteness of his sober and controlled style.
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.
