Modello for a Ceiling: Diana and the Dead Endymion, the Judgment of Paris, and the Death of Adonis Possibly 1640 - 1642

This pen and brown ink drawing by Nicolas Poussin is a modello, or preliminary study, for a ceiling painting. Dated to around 1640-42, the design features three mythological scenes: Diana and the Dead Endymion, the Judgment of Paris, and the Death of Adonis. The scenes are framed within a decorative architectural design, typical of Poussin's style, where the figures are placed with great clarity and precision, conveying a sense of order and balance. The brown ink washes create a sense of depth and shadow, giving the drawing a three-dimensional effect. This modello, a small-scale design for a larger work, showcases Poussin's mastery of composition and his fascination with classical mythology.