Musée du Ben

In the early 17th century there was a utopian place in Greece. It was luscious green with a mild cold breeze over the meadow. The ponds are filled with colourful fishes and birds gliding over the sky through clouds. The natural atmosphere felt a dark presence. There lied a tomb in the middle of the grassland. Today we’re going to witness an artwork from the renaissance period. Drop the anchor and let’s dive deep into episode 4 of Artworks.

The Beginning

Let’s rewind to 1639, Nicolas poussin a roman classical painter made an art piece that created a big fuss among the people. The painting he did was called an ‘Et in Acardia ego’ or English ‘The Acardian Shepherds’. An oil painting with many conspiracy theories hidden in it. The painting was done twice by the artist and the second one got so many emotions and got many appreciations. So, let us dig deep into the theme of the painting.

The Story

    Amidst the green landscape of Acardia (a place in Greece) considered to be utopia, there are three shepherds and a woman. They stand around a tomb in that natural setting. So contrasting right? They wear antique robes and sandals. They look concerned on finding the tomb in such a beautiful location. The inscription on the tomb translates to “Even in Acardia, I exist”. They were worried as if they’ve discovered mortality in the utopian world.

Memento Mori

This piece of work is called Memento Mori. These works are supposed to give us dark feelings. Nicolas created during the renaissance period, so you can see the blend of elegance in the work. He’s an Italian Baroque artist. He made one artwork on 1624 where two persons are looking at skull placed over a tomb. This painting gives the viewer a creepy dark rush inside. The two people were frightened looking at something they haven’t faced before. Death!

Digging deep

Now let’s analyse each character and objects in the painting. Keep your eyes lubricated and look into details.

The Woman

Royal, Wisdom, Elegant. She fits into every trait a queen has. Fully clothed from neck to ankle and has a dominating look on the shepherds, like she needs answers. She has pale grayish skin and sharp eyes. She fully understands what is the situation and looks for more purpose. Many theories suggest that she is Goddess Athena or Death herself!

The Shepherds

Three shepherds are investigating the tomb. They look classical and rational about their thoughts. Each has a different posture and attitude. Now, let’s see what each one has to convey.

Kneeling Shepherd: He is the only person who is keenly observing and trying to make out the inscription. He moves his fingers over the engraving written on the tomb. Also, this person is different from others as he doesn’t have any leave crown and other shepherds don’t wear any sandals as he does. He wears a blue robe with blue strap sandal and also matches the colour with the woman. Do they have any relationship?

Right red shepherd: The Red robe shepherd on the right looks like he has understood the inscription and tries to explain it to the woman turning to her face and pointing his fingers to the words.

Left uninterested shepherd: The person on the left, slanting towards the tomb and keeping one hand on it looks uninterested and cares less about what’s happening there.

Landscape and trees: The idyllic green nature looks peaceful and contrasts to the horror and death. The two trees on the left have slightly pale colour leaves. Is it autumn? I leave the answer to your thoughts.

Conspiracy theories

I ‘am in Acardia too

 ‘Et in Acardia’ is engraved on the tomb which translates to “I’m in Acardia, too” which can be interpreted like the Death itself speaking and showing that it had arrived at utopia. Some literary people translated it to ”I was also in Acardia” which denotes that the dead were once happy living in Acardia.

The Shadow of Death

    This theory deals with the kneeling shepherd as he graces his fingers over the tomb his shadow falls on it. So, it looks like he’s tracing his own shadow and thinking about his death. Well, the tomb can give you creepy feelings!

Jesus Tomb

  There’s an anagram from the book ‘Holy Blood and the Holy grail’ which goes like “Begone, I keep God’s secrets”. These statements have made us think that it could be the tomb of Jesus Christ or it could be an important biblical person. There is also a phrase in that book which says “I touch the tomb of God Jesus” It can be inferred to the kneeling shepherd. This conspiracy theory talk has widespread and it became the reason why the painting got famous. What if these theories were true? Amen.

Conclusion

Nicolas poussin was a believer of Stoic philosophy and he was popular among Romans for portraying such depth meaning in his paintings. This painting ‘Et in Acardia’ teaches us an important lesson, ‘Tame the animal emotions in you, hold material possessions and face mortality with quiet resignation’. Let’s dwell upon such amazing artworks and contemplate its unique details.

Please do leave your view of the painting. Share this with your friends and celebrate art!

Weigh the anchor and hoist the mizzen. Everyone! Board the ship we’re going to visit another beautiful discovery soon.