Nymphs and a Satyr (Amor Vincit Omnia)c. 1625–27 · Study 1926.26

Context from the museum

Like his colleague Claude Lorrain, Poussin depicted historical and mythological subjects in landscapes inspired by the countryside around Rome. His themes were often complex, and frequently incorporated witty allusions to classical texts. Here, a playful cupid tugs Pan, the goatlegged Greek god of the woods, toward Venus, the goddess of love. The painting cleverly illustrates the Latin phrase amor vincit omnia, or “love conquers all” (in Greek, pan means “all”). The woodland setting represents the idyllic paradise of Pan’s home.

Museum description reproduced from its CC0 open-access record. Read the original catalog entry.

A detail to notice

After arriving in Rome and experiencing financial instability, Nicolas Poussin turned to painting more popular, lucrative mythological scenes, such as those depicting nymphs and satyrs.

Observation supplied by the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Read the dimensions before the image

The selected unframed measurement for Nymphs and a Satyr (Amor Vincit Omnia) is 127.5 cm wide and 97 cm high, equivalent to approximately 50.2 × 38.2 inches. Dividing width by height gives a format ratio of 1.31:1. The rectangular bounding area is 1.24 square meters; it describes the measured footprint, not the amount of paint or the monetary value.

On an illustrative 300 cm wall, the recorded width occupies 42.5% of the span before adding a frame. A centered placement leaves approximately 86.3 cm on each side before adding a frame. These are calculations by Physical Art For Crypto using museum measurements. They are not the museum’s display recommendations.

Questions to bring to your own collection

With Nymphs and a Satyr (Amor Vincit Omnia) in view, identify one feature you can point to, then distinguish what the museum records from your personal response. Keep its medium, oil on canvas, in your notes when comparing contemporary works.

• Which part of this horizontal composition catches your eye first?
• Would a 127.5 cm width still suit the space after allowing for furniture and a frame?
• What surface detail would you need to see in person or in a close photograph?