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

The Seven Sacraments II: Marriage

1647-48
Oil on canvas, 117 x 178 cm
National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh

This painting is one of the second set of Sacraments, painted for Poussin's faithful friend, Fréart de Chantelou. The second series differs from the first. Here everything is dense and taut; grays dominate a dark architectural setting from which occasional red and yellows glow impressively. Only Marriage with its garlands and luminous windows, displays any lightheartedness.




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