Simon Vouet was a French painter who came to Rome around 1614. He found great success there and became the prominent figure in the group of French painters in the area. As a man with close ties to several noble families and a friend of Cavalier Marin and the Barberinis, his prestige was such that … Continue reading Simon Vouet (1590-1649) – French painter
Category: Poussin’s circle
Paul Bril (1554-1626) – Flemish painter and engraver
Paul Bril was a Flemish painter and engraver, known for his landscapes bathed in light. He came to Rome around 1570 and remained there until his death. His workshop there has been a meeting place and source of inspiration for many artists, including Claude Lorrain.
The duke of Richelieu (1629-1715)
Nephew of the Cardinal, a great collector It was for Armand Jean de Vignerot du Plessis, 2nd Duke of Richelieu that Poussin created the Four Seasons of the Louvre series at the end of his life, in the spring between 1660 and 1664. Their reception, around 1664-1665 was an opportunity to bring all the lovers … Continue reading The duke of Richelieu (1629-1715)
Claude Gellée, known as Claude or le Lorrain (circa 1600-1682) – Painter
Claude Gellée is a painter from Lorraine who moved to Rome in 1615 to learn the traditional craft of Lorraine: baking. After arriving in Rome, he was first a cook for painter Agostino Tassi who, when he discovered his gift for painting, decided to teach him the basics. Influenced by the landscapes of Annibale Carracci, … Continue reading Claude Gellée, known as Claude or le Lorrain (circa 1600-1682) – Painter
Jean Pointel – French banker and silk merchant
Jean Pointel is a French banker and silk merchant from Lyon, based in Paris, one of the greatest collectors of Nicolas Poussin. Poussin paints for Pointel his Moses saved from the water (1647, Louvre Museum), Eliezer and Rebecca (1648, Louvre Museum), The Judgement of Solomon (1649, Louvre Museum), the Landscape with Orpheus and Eurydice (1650-53, Louvre Museum) and … Continue reading Jean Pointel – French banker and silk merchant
Paul Fréart de Chantelou (1609-1694) – Right hand man of a secretary of state to Louis XIII
The first Parisian friend of a well-known Poussin Secretary of Sublet de Noyers, Paul Fréart de Chantelou could have been the first to have discovered Poussin and it is thanks to him that la Manne was made and then sent to Paris in 1639. Sent to Rome to bring Poussin to France, he took care … Continue reading Paul Fréart de Chantelou (1609-1694) – Right hand man of a secretary of state to Louis XIII
Cassiano Dal Pozzo (1588-1657) – Secretary of Cardinal Barberini
An enlightened patron, Poussin’s first protector Secretary of Cardinal Francesco Barberini, the Cavalier Dal Pozzo launched Poussin’s arrival in Rome with the responsibility of the altarpiece of the Martyrdom of Saint Erasmus (Vatican Museum) destined for Saint-Pierre. Fascinated by antiquity, at the head of a group of art lovers, he led a team of artists, … Continue reading Cassiano Dal Pozzo (1588-1657) – Secretary of Cardinal Barberini
Gaspard Dughet (1615-1675) – French painter
One of the most talented landscapists of Rome Gaspard Dughet (also known as Gaspard Poussin, Gaspar Poussin, or The Guaspre) was born in Rome in 1615 and in 1630 became the brother-in-law of Nicolas Poussin who married his sister, Anne-Marie Dughet. Son of Jacques Dughet, the French baker who released Nicolas Poussin from hospital when … Continue reading Gaspard Dughet (1615-1675) – French painter
Giovanni Battista Marino – Le Cavalier Marin (1569-1625) – Italian poet
Famous Italian poet, one of the first protectors and sponsors of Nicolas Poussin Giovanni Battista Marino, known as “Le Cavalier Marin” meets Nicolas Poussin in 1623 while the artist is working in Paris for Marie de Médicis. Impressed by his drawing talent, he orders Poussin a set of 15 drawings mostly about Ovid’s Metamorphoses, today … Continue reading Giovanni Battista Marino – Le Cavalier Marin (1569-1625) – Italian poet