Extreme Unction
1643-1644
Nicolas Poussin sketched this somber scene while preparing his famous second series of the Seven Sacraments paintings. The composition focuses on the final moments of a dying man, surrounded by grieving friends and a priest administering the last rites. Notice how the heavy drapery in the background creates a stage-like setting, a hallmark of Poussin's classical Baroque style that prioritizes clear, emotional storytelling over chaotic movement. It's a masterclass in using light and shadow to guide your eye straight to the tragic center of the drama.
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