The artwork titled “Winter (The Flood)” by Nicolas Poussin was executed between 1660 and 1664, employing the medium of oil on canvas. Measuring 117 by 160 cm, it resides within the Louvre in Paris, France. A part of the “The Four Seasons” series, it belongs to the Classicism art movement and brings together elements of religious painting and landscape.
In the artwork, the viewer is presented with a dramatic and chaotic landscape that encapsulates the severity and destructive force of a flood. The darkened sky, energized with flashes of lightning, sets a somber mood and reflects the gravity of the catastrophic event. Against this tumultuous backdrop, various groups of figures are portrayed in desperate situations. To the left, a man atop a perilous cliff clings to a tree, looking up as if seeking divine intervention, while a serpent slithers by, adding an ominous tone to the scene. Nearby, a rowboat occupied by people struggles against the turbulent waters, and the occupants work together to stay afloat, reflecting a sense of human resilience and cooperation amidst disaster.
Closer to the center of the artwork, one can observe individuals engaged in strenuous efforts to survive. A figure clad in blue reaches downward from a rocky outcrop, extending a hand in effort to save a companion from the flood’s remorseless grasp. Meanwhile, to the forefront, there lies a tragic sight: a person submerged and lifeless in the water, indicating that not all have been spared by the merciless natural event.
The composition is carefully balanced with natural elements such as rock faces and trees anchoring the scene, despite the overall atmosphere being one of dynamic and uncontrollable forces of nature. Poussin’s classical training is evident in the ordered structure underlying the chaos depicted, offering a poignant narrative on human vulnerability in the face of nature’s overwhelming power.
