Scene
Three shepherds and a woman gather around a stone tomb in a stark landscape. They read and contemplate the Latin inscription carved into the monument.
Et in Arcadia ego
Nicolas Poussin
1637
Figures
The group includes three idealized shepherds from classical antiquity and a statuesque woman. Each figure shows a distinct psychological response to the tomb's message.
Symbolism
The inscription translates to 'Even in Arcadia, there am I,' suggesting death is present even in paradise. A shepherd's shadow falling across the tomb serves as a visual sign of mortality.
Craft
The composition is carefully ordered and geometric, aligning the figures with the tomb's structure to create balance and unity.
Impact
The work is regarded as a masterpiece of French classicism and has influenced later art, literature, and cultural theory.
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Tags
Craft
