The artwork “Pan and Syrinx” is a mythological painting by Nicolas Poussin, completed between 1637 and 1638. Poussin, known for his contributions to the classicism movement, employed oil on canvas as his medium to capture this scene. This artwork measures 82 by 106 centimeters and is currently housed in the Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister in Dresden, Germany. It stands as a fine example of classical mythology interpreted through the refined aesthetic of 17th-century European art.
In the artwork, the narrative of the Greek myth involving Pan and Syrinx is depicted with a vivid sense of immediacy and drama. On the right side of the composition, the god Pan is shown in a fervent pursuit of the nymph Syrinx, who appears to be resisting and fleeing from his grasp. She is the central figure, her body angled as if in mid-motion, her expression conveying distress. The figure of Pan, cloaked in natural foliage, reaches out to capture Syrinx with a sense of desperate yearning.
To the left, additional figures are portrayed in various states of repose and action. There are putti, or cherubs, which suggest the presence of divine or supernatural elements at play within this mythological encounter. One putto in the upper right corner seems to be descending from the trees, possibly to intervene or witness the unfolding scene.
The natural setting is dense and richly painted, with trees framing the scene and a subtle play of light filtered through the leaves, creating an atmosphere of a natural, albeit enchanted, landscape. The figures are proportioned and idealized according to classical standards of beauty, with an attention to anatomical detail that is characteristic of Poussin’s artistic approach.
