Midas, Pan and shepherds
Nicolas Poussin·1625
Historical Context
Midas, Pan and Shepherds from around 1625 depicts the mythological musical contest judged by the unfortunate King Midas. The fable served Poussin as a vehicle for exploring themes of artistic judgment and the punishment of poor taste. Working in Rome from 1624 onwards, Poussin served a cultivated international clientele of French and Italian patrons who prized his learned, disciplined approach to classical antiquity and religious narrative. His correspondence reveals a painter who regarded pa...
Technical Analysis
The multi-figure composition arranges the mythological scene in a pastoral setting. Poussin's handling of the varied characters creates a narrative of classical moral instruction.
