Poussin had moved from France to Rome in 1624, and rapidly established himself as the painter of choice for intellectual patrons at the papal court. This is a study for a painting of Pyrrhus, later king of the Greek tribe of Molossians, being carried to safety as an infant when his father was dethroned. His protectors found the river outside Megara impassable; with their enemies in close pursuit, they hurled messages across the river, and the Megarans sent a boat to rescue Pyrrhus.