The Triumph of Flora, 1.65 x 2.41 m

The Triumph of Flora (French: Le Triomphe de Flore) is an oil painting by Nicolas Poussin, dated to about 1627 or 1628, which is now in the Louvre in Paris.[1]

The nymph Chloris, honoured by the Greeks; and afterwards by the Romans as Flora, the goddess of flowers and gardens, was a natural subject for Poussin, who was a great admirer of the ancient religious rites.[2]

Description

The picture exhibits the goddess seated in a splendid car drawn by two winged boys, accompanied by a numerous train of nymphs, youths, and cupids, most of whom have flowers either in baskets or in their hands; her attention is directed to Mars, who stands at the side of her car, acknowledging her sovereignty as she passes. Among her attendants may be noticed a youth performing antics: in advance of him two nymphs dancing, and scattering flowers which others are gathering; and above are two cupids, one of whom is placing a chaplet on her head. Close to the front are a fine formed man naked and recumbent on some drapery, and a female reclining on his lap.[2]

Smith (1837) lamented its poor state of preservation. "Of this once excellent picture, little of its original beauty remains; the brown ground on which it was painted having destroyed all the delicate tints, and made others so obscure as to be nearly black."[2]

Engraved by Audran, Niquet and Fessard.[2][3][4]

References

  1. ↑ "Le Triomphe de Flore (INV 7298 ; MR 2346)". Louvre.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Smith 1837, p. 126 (no. 243).
  3. ↑ "Print (1856,0308.669)". British Museum.
  4. ↑ "Le Triomphe de Flore (1266 C/ Recto)". Louvre.

Bibliography

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