Discovery of Achilles on Skyros By: Nicholas Poussin

Baroque Art in the seventeenth century was dominated strongly by Italian Painting. Italy transitioning from the revival of classicism of the Renaissance into the Baroque carried a strong influential view for the period. Surrounding countries became interested in this way of art and began to travel to Italy to learn. Nicholas Poussin was one artist that did. Coming from France, the revival of Classicism was fairly new to him, and like others he became very interested in the style. One Painting that shows his interest in classical order is Discovery of Achilles on Skyros. This painting portrays a mythological scene. Achilles mother, with the thought her son is destine to die if he fought in the Trojan War, disguises him as a women and hides him on the island of Skyros, with the daughters of King Lycomedes. The Greek chieftains, Ulysses and Diomedes, with the knowledge of this, travel to the island disguised as merchants to find him. As they are there Achilles gives himself away...