Artwork
The Nurture of Bacchus
The Nurture of Bacchus is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Nicolas Poussin. It dates from 1624 and is held in the collection of the Department of Paintings of the Louvre.
About this work
Overview
The Nurture of Bacchus is a mythological oil painting by Nicolas Poussin, created in 1624. It is now held at the Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a group of figures, including Bacchus as an infant, in a rocky forest. The scene includes a woman holding the infant Bacchus, a kneeling man, a flute-playing figure, and a small boy, creating a sense of a lively, chaotic gathering.
Technique & Style
Poussin employed chiaroscuro, using strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of depth and draw attention to the figures. Deep shadows set the figures against the background, emphasizing their presence within the landscape.
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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