Art Funded by you

Study for 'A Dance to the Music of Time'

Nicolas Poussin, c. 1634

National Galleries Scotland: National, Edinburgh

This is the only surviving drawing by Poussin for the painting A Dance to the Music of Time, now in the Wallace Collection, London. The picture is a moral allegory on the subjection of all human life to the rule of time. The dance is being performed to the lyre of Father Time and two putti are seen playing with an hourglass and blowing bubbles respectively. It depicts a circle of man's fortune with the allegorical figures of Poverty, Industry, Riches and Pleasure forming a circular movement. Above, the Sun is driving his chariot through the zodiac.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Study for 'A Dance to the Music of Time', c. 1634

Date supported

1985

Medium and material

Pen, brown ink & brown wash on paper

Dimensions

14.8 x 19.8 cm

Grant

50000

Total cost

160000

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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