POUSSIN, Nicolas
(b. 1594, Les Andelys, d. 1665, Roma)

The Seven Sacraments I: Ordination

1636-40
Oil on canvas, 96 x 121 cm
Collection of the Duke of Rutland, Belvoir Castle

Poussin painted for Cassiano dal Pozzo the series of the Seven Sacraments, which came to England in the eighteenth century, and of which five are still in the collection of the Duke of Rutland. In the Ordination the influence of Raphael is apparent, since the design and the types are taken closely from the tapestry Feed my Sheep. But it is important to notice that Poussin is now turning to the more classical Raphael of 1515 and not to the style of the masters very last years.




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