Artwork
Pan
Pan is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Annibale Carracci. It dates from 1596 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria.
About this work
Overview
Pan is a 1596 oil painting by Annibale Carracci, a pivotal figure in the early Baroque movement, known for merging classical elements with dynamic expression.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts the mythological god Pan in a contemplative state, reclining nude with a pan flute, conveying a sense of serene introspection amidst a dark, misty background.
Technique & Style
Characterized by muscular form, dark, unkempt hair, and a calm facial expression, the work showcases Carracci's blend of classical influences with the emerging Baroque emphasis on emotional depth and naturalism.
History & Provenance
Created during Carracci's active period in Rome, possibly with contributions from his workshop at Palazzo Farnese, the painting is now part of the collection at the National Gallery of Victoria.
Context
Part of the mythological genre popular during the Baroque era, 'Pan' reflects the period's fascination with classical mythology and the development of a more expressive, emotionally charged artistic language.
Artist & collection
Artist
Annibale Carracci ( kə-RAH-chee, UK also kə-RATCH-ee, Italian: ; November 3, 1560 – July 15, 1609) was an Italian painter and instructor, active in Bologna and later in Rome.
