Polyphemus discovering Acis and Galatea c.1622-23
Graphite underdrawing, pen and brown ink, brown wash | 18.5 x 32.3 cm (sheet of paper) | RCIN 911940
Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665)
Polyphemus discovering Acis and Galatea c.1622-23
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A drawing made by Poussin for the poet Giovanni Battista Marino in Paris, c.1622-23 (see RCIN 911933 for details).
The cyclops Polyphemus had fallen in love with the nymph Galatea, and Ovid touchingly describes how he combed his hair and shaved his beard to try to win the nymph (Metamorphoses, XIII, 870ff). But Galatea loved the youth Acis, and when Polyphemus discovered them together he furiously hurled a boulder which crushed Acis. (For the aftermath, see RCIN 911939)From the mid-sixteenth century, illustrated editions of Ovid routinely showed Polyphemus looming over the couple and throwing a rock, with Galatea fleeing and Acis already crushed beneath a boulder . Poussin has modified the standard composition to depict the moment in the story with the greatest emotional, rather than dramatic, effect. Polyphemus has only just stumbled across the explicitly posed lovers, who are still unaware of his presence. The vertiginous perspective thus goes beyond merely emphasizing the bulk of the cyclops, giving us the view over his shoulder and compelling us to share his envy - a subtle piece of psychological manipulation for such an inexperienced artist.
Provenance
Cardinal Camillo Massimi (1620-1677); from whose heirs bought in 1739, for 300 scudi, by Richard Mead (1673-1754); probably presented to Frederick, Prince of Wales, by 1750.
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Creator(s)
Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Graphite underdrawing, pen and brown ink, brown wash
Measurements
18.5 x 32.3 cm (sheet of paper)
Object type(s)
Other number(s)
Alternative title(s)
Galathea, Aci, e Polifemo