De geboorte van Adonis uit de in een boom veranderde Myrrha is a 1650 drawing by Nicolas Poussin. Executed using ink on paper, this highly detailed work depicts a pivotal moment from classical mythology: the miraculous birth of Adonis from the trunk of the Myrrh tree, which represents the transformed figure of his mother, Myrrha. This subject, derived from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, highlights themes of divine justice, metamorphosis, and the origins of beauty tinged with tragedy.
As a master of French Baroque classicism, Poussin utilized the medium of ink and paper to achieve maximum compositional rigor. The clarity of the lines and the definitive structure evident in the drawing demonstrate Poussin’s meticulous planning process, often preceding his major oil paintings. Created late in the artist’s prolific career, this piece reflects his mature style, characterized by emotional restraint and an emphasis on narrative purity and intellectual depth, cementing his reputation as the definitive chronicler of classical antiquity in visual form.
The 1650 drawing, a significant example of French draughtsmanship, remains part of the esteemed collection of the Rijksmuseum. Works like De geboorte van Adonis uit de in een boom veranderde Myrrha provide insight into Poussin’s preparation and inventive narrative approach. As a historic masterpiece, the image frequently enters the public domain, making high-quality reproductions and related prints available for scholarly study and general appreciation of this mythological scene.
Important: ArtBee makes no warranties about the copyright status of this artwork. To the best of our knowledge, based on information from the source museum, we believe this work is in the public domain.
You are responsible for determining the rights status and securing any permissions needed for your use. Copyright status may vary by jurisdiction. See our License & Usage page and Terms of Service for details.