Mythological Paintings Acis & Galatea Oil Portraits After Nicolas Poussin

This is a beautifully painted on canvas example after the original work in the museum by artist Nicolas Pousin. This fine oil paintings on canvas after the original museum work, depicts scenes from a mythological story told in Ovid’s Metamorphoses (ad 8). The lovers Acis and Galatea embrace, while tritons and nereids play in the waves nearby. Putti shield the couple from Polyphemus (a one eyed giant) who sits on a promontory playing a syrinx. According to Ovid, Polyphemus became angry when Galatea did not reciprocate his love. He hurled a rock at Acis and killed him. Poussin presents the oblivious lovers in a golden light, but dark clouds hint at the tragedy to come. DescriptionPoussin moved to Rome in 1624, where he became closely associated with the gifted antiquarian Cassiano dal Pozzo and his intellectual circle. Well versed in classical literature, philosophy and art, Poussin went on to develop a distinct poetic style of history painting. this arcadian scene was inspired by a story in Ovid’s Metamorphoses (Book Xiii). In the foreground, the lovers Acis and Galatea embrace, as tritons and nereids frolic in the waves. Behind them, the one-eyed giant Polyphemus sits on a promontory overlooking the sea. He plays a love song to Galatea on the syrinx. Winged amorini hold drapery to shield the ill-fated couple from his view. In Ovid’s poem, Polyphemus, whose ardour for Galatea was unrequited, hurled a rock at Acis in a jealous rage and killed him. While the mood in the foreground of the painting is playful and sensual, the isolated figure of Polyphemus and the dark clouds overhead convey a sense of pathos and foreboding.