Similarities of ‘The Garden of Love’ and ‘The Abduction of the Sabine Women’

Comparison between ‘The Garden of Love’ And ‘The Abduction of the Sabine Women’
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The two pieces of art that will be discussed in this essay are that of Nicolas Poussin, ‘The Abduction of the Sabine Women’ which was produced in the year between 1633 and 1634, and Paul Ruben’s ‘The Garden of Love’, which was produced in the year 1638. The two pieces have various differences and similarities within specific borders. The stylistic choices used by the artists vary in their pieces. Poussin’s art can be described as realistic while Ruben’s piece incorporates idealism. Poussin’s art seeks to depict a snapshot of the instability that took place in the region. According to Poussin, art was meant to reveal serious and noble human acts. The artist, therefore, tries to be as realistic as possible when portraying the events to elevate the happenings of humanity and the world. Another means by which the art portrays realism is the avoidance of supernatural elements, which are present in Ruben’s piece. In ‘The Garden of Love’, Ruben uses incorporates several symbolic figures to exaggerate the emotions in the piece. The inclusion of supernatural elements such as cupids which carry symbols of love are meant to portray the idyllic garden with a relaxed atmosphere in which the subjects flirt with one another. Therefore, unlike Poussin, Ruben’s piece is idealistic.
The two pieces are also similar in that they are secular pieces of art. This is evidenced by the fact that both pieces exhibit a secular spirit by capturing accurate and detailed scenery, as well as nature and anatomy. The dramatic poses and emotions displayed in both artworks bring out the sense of humanism and exhibit their interest in human affairs. The two pieces of art are also similar in that they are both symbolic. Poussin’s art symbolizes the historical events that occurred in Rome. The piece communicates the forceful abduction of women from the elderly and their children. However, records reveal that women acted as peacemaker...