“Ordination” is a renowned artwork completed by Nicolas Poussin, with an estimated creation period between c.1636 and 1640. This oil on canvas painting subscribes to the principles of Classicism and falls under the genre of religious painting. It is one of the pieces included in the series “Seven Sacraments,” and is currently held within a private collection.
The artwork reveals a deeply religious and ceremonial scene embedded within a serene natural landscape. It is composed with a meticulous attention to Classical clarity and restraint. In the foreground, a central figure draws the eye, taking an authoritative stance with an uplifted hand gesturing towards the heavens, signifying a rite of passage or a moment of divine ordination. This figure is surrounded by a group of attentively assembled individuals, each rendered with individualized expressions and postures, which may reflect their diverse roles and reactions to the solemn event.
Dominated by earthy tones and soft, diffuse lighting, the scene is set against a backdrop of towering trees and distant hills, conferring a sense of quietude and seclusion appropriate for such a sacred act. The garb of the figures is indicative of the era’s interpretation of biblical attire, with draped fabrics and a rich juxtaposition of warm and cool hues that imbue the composition with a balance and harmony. The organization of the figures within the space and the thoughtful use of light and shadow exhibit Poussin’s mastery in creating a narrative that is both visually compelling and symbolically profound. Through this and the other paintings within the “Seven Sacraments” series, Poussin explores the significant religious rituals within Christianity with an artistic voice that reverberates with the ideals of the Classical art movement.
