Midas Washing at the Source of the Pactolus

Midas Washing at the Source of the Pactolus by Nicolas Poussin is a seminal oil on canvas painting created between 1622 and 1632. This important work exemplifies the French master's early classical Baroque style, executed during his formative years in Rome. The composition depicts the pivotal moment from Ovid’s Metamorphoses when King Midas seeks release from the curse of the Golden Touch, a power that turned everything he touched into gold, including his food and loved ones.

Poussin captures Midas kneeling by the bank of the Pactolus River, commanded by the god Bacchus to wash himself to reverse the disastrous magic. The moment is charged with drama: as Midas immerses his hand in the flowing water, the gift is transferred, forever embedding gold in the Midas Washing at the Source of the Pactolus riverbed. The scene features various attendant figures, including men and children, who observe the miraculous purification. Poussin’s technique utilizes deep, rich colors and meticulous detail typical of early 17th-century Italianate painting, showcasing his emerging mastery of mythological narrative and landscape setting.

The subject's popularity in the classical tradition ensured the longevity of this canvas. This important piece provides insight into the rigorous development of Poussin's classicism, which would define French painting for generations. The work resides in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Because of its historical significance, high-resolution images of this classical painting and fine-art prints are often made available through the public domain, facilitating scholarly study of Poussin’s interpretation of classical sources.