A later work, the Holy Family on the Steps, of 1648, is probably in the Hypolydian mode, which 'contains within itself a certain sweetness which fills the soul of the beholders with joy. It lends itself to divine matters, glory and Paradise'. The pyramidal composition suggests the Madonna groups of Leonardo and Raphael which Poussin knew and studied. Like Tintoretto, he arranged little draped wax figures on a stage with the lightning carefully controlled and with a backdrop of landscape and architecture. He would experiment with figural relationships till he found the right grouping, then build a larger arrangement of modelled and draped figures and paint from it, referring to reality only when necessary. The grave, ideal quality of Poussin's art triumphs in Classical compositions arranged before simple, cubic architecture that bypasses the Baroque, the Renaissance, and the Middle Ages, going straight back to Roman models. While the faces of his figures often appear standardized and almost expressionless, the grandeur of Poussin's art appears in the balance of forms, colour, and lights. Such compositions inspired Ingres in the early 19-th century, formed the basis for the still life and figure paintings of Cezanne in the late 19-th and early 20-th centuries.
Make sure you know how to pronounce the following words:
Poussin; Normandy; lyre; Paris; Louvre; Greek; Dorian; Phrygian; Lydian; Hypolydian; Ionic; Sabines; Cezanne
Notes
Inspiration of the Poet- «Вдохновение поэта»
Rape of the Sabines – «Похищение Сабинянок»
Holy Family on the Steps – «Святое семейство на ступенях храма»
Tasks
I. Read the text. Make sure you understand it. Mark the following statements true or false.
1. Nicolas Poussin embodies the Renaissance spirit.
2. Poussin made a lot of altarpieces.
3. Poussin was fond of ceiling painting.
4. Poussin invented five modes or scales in music.
5. Poussin formulated the theoretical basis of his art in 1648.
6. Poussin worked in the grand manner early in life.
II. How well have you read? Can you answer the following questions?
1. What do Poussin's paintings reflect?
2. What did Poussin attempt to recapture in the Inspiration of the Poett?
3. What were the main theoretical principles of Poussin's art? How did Poussin connect painting and music?
4. With what Poussin's painting is the Phrygian mode associated? Why? What is the subject of this painting?
5. Why is the Holy Family
