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| Nicolas Poussin |
| 1594-1665 |
| European Artist |
| Born in 1594 near Les Andelys, in Normandy, he came from a relatively poor family. It is clear however that he received some education as a child and studied Latin, which was to prove useful later in life. At the age of eighteen, Poussin moved to Paris and entered the studio of Dutch artist Ferdinand Elle, and then the atelier of Georges Lallemand one of the leading French mannerist artiststs. He also studied the engravings of the Italian printmaker Marcantonio which strongly influenced him. After a short study trip to Venice to study the Renaissance masters, he moved to Rome in 1624, where he was to remain most of his painting life. He returned to Paris briefly for 2 years, as court painter to King Louis XIII. In 1643 he returned to Rome and went on to produce many works. On the insistence of the French King, he returned once more to Paris in 1640 and was put in charge of all artistic works in the King's palaces. Poussin was a prolific artist, but it is unfortunate that many of his paintings have not stood the test of time, the colour in many of his paintings has faded or changed. As a result, the overall harmony of his works can sometimes be better seen in his engravings. Other great French artists including, Claudine Stella, Bernard Picart and Antoine Pesne reproduced many of his engravings. Poussin's interpretation of historical Greek and Roman mythology went on to influence generations of famous painters. The French artist Jacques-Louis David empathized with Poussin's classical severity, his clarity, order and logical treatment of his works. |
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