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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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