The artwork “The Saving of the Infant Pyrrhus” is an oil on canvas painting created by Nicolas Poussin in 1634. Measuring 116 by 160 centimeters, it is a history painting that belongs to the Classicism art movement. The painting is part of the collection housed at the Louvre in Paris, France. This genre of painting reflects historical narratives and Poussin is known to have contributed significantly to this tradition with his meticulous compositions.
In the artwork, the central scene depicts a dramatic episode from antiquity—the rescue of the infant Pyrrhus, who would grow to be King Pyrrhus of Epirus, renowned for his battles against Rome. The painting represents a chaotic moment, with figures in various states of motion and emotional distress. A woman, possibly Pyrrhus’s nurse, is seen at the foreground, kneeling and extending the baby towards a man who is running and looking back over his shoulder at the danger behind. Other characters crowd the scene, all in dynamic poses, suggesting hurried movement and escape. The warm hues of the painting, especially the intense light in the background, contrast with zones of shadow, imbuing the scene with a sense of depth and urgency. Poussin’s expertise in composition and storytelling is evident through the arrangement of figures and the attention to detail, capturing the tension and importance of the moment.
