“Extreme Unction,” created by the French painter Nicolas Poussin between 1636 and 1639, is an oil on canvas religious painting exemplifying the style of Classicism. Measuring 95.5 by 121 cm, the artwork forms part of the “Seven Sacraments” series and is currently held at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
The artwork is a somber and composed depiction of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, historically known as Extreme Unction. Central to the scene is a dying man lying on a bed, surrounded by figures engaged in various states of grief and solemn ritual. The composition is staged with a classical clarity, with figures arrayed in a manner that leads the viewer’s eye to the focal point of the sacramental act. The use of chiaroscuro, the stark contrast between light and dark, adds a dramatic intensity and focuses attention on the central actions and the pallid form of the afflicted man.
Richly draped fabrics and classical architectural elements give the painting a sense of timeless dignity, characteristic of Poussin’s style and his treatment of religious subjects. Despite the gravity of the moment, there is a serene order to the arrangement of characters, embodying the principles of balance and harmony that are hallmarks of the Classical art movement to which Poussin belonged. The scene is infused with a sense of the spiritual, capturing both the human emotion associated with the end of life and the divine significance of the sacrament within the Christian tradition.
