As in the other Sacrament paintings, Poussin wanted to show this scene in an early Christian setting. The ceremony takes place in Roman Catacombs and the figures wear contemporary dress. Poussin even ensured that the women’s hairstyles corresponded to those on contemporary Roman portrait busts. The figures on the right line up before the priest, almost like a procession. Children and adults are confirmed at the same ceremony, and women usher their shy children forward to receive the sacrament. Confirmation was to re-affirm an individual’s faith, which was first announced at their baptism. The priest anoints them with chrism (blessed oil). This scene, despite its early Christian context, would have been easily recognisable to Poussin’s contemporaries as something they experienced in their own lives.