Victory of Joshua over the Amalekites
Nicolas Poussin·1623
Historical Context
Poussin painted the Victory of Joshua over the Amalekites around 1623–25, one of his early biblical battle compositions demonstrating his ability to organize complex multi-figure action within a coherent spatial and compositional structure. The subject, from Exodus 17, shows Joshua's forces defeating the Amalekites while Moses, on the hill above, holds up his arms to sustain divine support for the Israelites. Poussin's early battle paintings show his study of ancient Roman battle sarcophagi alongside the Renaissance battle compositions of Leonardo and Raphael that he could have known through prints, synthesizing these sources into an energetic Baroque treatment of ancient military action.
Technical Analysis
The dynamic battle composition shows the young Poussin's energy and ambition, with swirling groups of combatants arranged across the canvas in vigorous, if not yet fully disciplined, choreography.
