Tip: move over the painting to use the lens.
The Abduction of the Sabine Women
Nicolas Poussin · probably 1633–34
- Artist
- Nicolas Poussin French, Les Andelys 1594–1665 Rome
- Date
- probably 1633–34
- Medium
- Oil on canvas
- Size
- 60 7/8 x 82 5/8 in. (154.6 x 209.9 cm)
- Where to see it
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1946 · CC0 Public Domain · The Met · see it at the museum ↗
Slow Look
- The whole picture Let your eyes wander. Where do they want to rest?
- The light Find the brightest spot. What is it showing you?
- The edges Look at what is half cut off at the borders.
- One small detail Choose one tiny thing and stay with it for a while.
- The whole picture again Step back. Has it changed for you?
About Nicolas Poussin
Nicolas Poussin was a leading painter of the classical French Baroque style, although he spent most of his working life in Rome. Most of his works were on religious and mythological subjects painted for a small group of Italian and French collectors. He returned to Paris for a brief period to serve as First Painter to the King under Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu, but soon returned to Rome and resumed his more traditional themes. In his later years he gave growing prominence to the landscape in his paintings. His work is characterized by clarity, logic, and order, and favors line over color
What do you see?
Stand in front of it for a moment. Then tell us what you noticed or felt - there are no wrong answers.
Be the first to share a thought.
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