Focus on this artwork and explore the Subject and themes.
In Poussin's paintings, large landscapes typically dominate the canvas. Patmos is portrayed by Poussin as an open environment, showing a new world created from the old, symbolized by the ruined Greek buildings. The setting shows a sunny sky above a classical era environment. In the foreground lies Saint John, posed similarly to an Ancient Greek god. Saint John was banished to Patmos by the Roman Emperor Domitian for his Christian beliefs. Known for his visions recorded in the Book of Revelation, the painting represents the Saint recording his works. In the background there are two oak trees, an obelisk, and the ruins of an ancient temple. The decaying ancient buildings, which would often be repurposed by the Church, suggest the replacement of the old ways with Christianity. From the hills to the sky, the rest of the landscape is an imaginary setting created defying the rules of atmospheric perspective.
Book of Revelation Ancient Greek Christianity Patmos Saint John Domitian