Psyche's Parents Offering Sacrifice to Apollo 1697

Luca Giordano painted "Psyche's Parents Offering Sacrifice to Apollo" using oil, sometime between 1634 and 1705. The work pulls us into a dynamic scene filled with figures that spiral upward toward a classical temple. Giordano's composition creates a world in motion. The eye is led by the diagonal of the steps, by the smoke rising from the altar, and by the gestures of the figures, all converging on the statue of Apollo. This dynamism is further enhanced by the contrast between light and shadow, a hallmark of Baroque painting. The brushwork also adds to the painting's sense of immediacy. You'll see the paint is applied with a freedom and fluidity that captures the energy of the moment. The sacrifice becomes more than just a religious act; it’s a spectacle, an event charged with emotion and drama. This treatment of form invites us to consider how power, devotion, and human drama intersect.