On-line gallery
- Reference number
- P02313
- Author
- Poussin, Nicholas (French)
- Title
- Parnassus
- Chronology
- 1630-1631
- Technique
- Support
- Measures
- 145 cm x 197 cm
- School
- Theme
- Shown
- Yes
- Entrance
- COLECCIONREAL
- Procedence
- Royal Collection
Parnassus, the mythological
mountain of Apollo and the Muses is
the scene for a celebration of the
Arts, especially Poetry. Apollo
offers the nectar of the gods to a
poet, probably Homer, who is
crowned with a laurel wreath by
Calliope, the muse of epic poetry.
The putti in the foreground offer
the poets the water of inspiration
that flows from the spring of
Castalia, personified by the nude
woman. This work is based on a
fresco by Raphael at the Vatican
and may pay homage to the Italian
poet, Giovanni Battista Marino
(1569-1625), who was Poussin's
patron.
A preparatory drawing for this work
is in the G. Wildenstein
collection. There is also an
engraving of it, made by Jean
Dughet before 1667.
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