Born in Les Andelys, Normandy in 1594, Poussin travelled to Paris before settling in Rome in 1624. He drew inspiration from Raphael and Titian, evident in early works such as Rest on the Flight into Egypt (c. 1626) and The Nurture of Bacchus (c. 1628). He also immersed himself in classical literature — Ovid’s Metamorphoses inspired his painting Midas Washing at the Source of the Pactolus (c. 1627), while Torquato Tasso’s epic poem on the Crusades informed The Companions of Rinaldo (c. 1633). These influences shaped a distinctive artistic language of balanced compositions and narratives imbued with moral or philosophical meaning.
Working primarily for private patrons, Poussin painted subjects drawn from classical mythology, ancient history and the Bible. His works reward close study through their sophisticated symbolism, precise construction and subtle use of gesture, colour and landscape. Guided by classical ideals, the artist believed beauty arose from order and the disciplined imitation of nature.
In 1640, Poussin was briefly recalled to Paris to serve as First Painter to King Louis XIII, but he found court life uncongenial and soon returned to Rome, where he remained until his death in 1665. Poussin is still regarded as one of the greatest painters of the Baroque era and a defining figure of the French classical tradition. His enduring influence can be traced through generations of artists, from Jacques-Louis David to Paul Cézanne, with Poussin’s work held in major collections such as the Louvre in Paris and the National Gallery in London.
Related artists: Claude Lorrain
Nicolas Poussin Normandy 1594-1665 Rome
Jupiter and Antiope
NICOLAS POUSSIN (LES ANDELYS 1594-1665 ROME)
La Conversion de Sainte Catherine
Nicolas POUSSIN (Les Andelys 1594-1665 Rome)
Un homme allongé sur un lit, deux hommes debout derrière, l'un lui tenant la main (recto); et Etude de jambe (verso)
Nicolas POUSSIN (Les Andelys 1594-1665 Rome)
Trois portraits d'artistes de la Renaissance italienne, d'après Les Vies de Giorgio Vasari
JEAN-FRANÇOIS MILLET DIT FRANCISQUE MILLET (ANVERS 1642-1679 PARIS)
Bergers dans un paysage italien imaginaire
Attributed to Nicolas Poussin (Les Andelys, Normandy 1594-1665 Rome)
The Holy Family attended by angels ( recto ); A seated female figure, flanked by a putto (?) ( verso , visible through the paper)
After Nicolas Poussin
A classical landscape with Diogenes casting away his drinking cup; and A classical landscape with the gathering of the ashes of Phoican
NICOLAS POUSSIN (LES ANDELYS 1594-1665 ROME)
Un prêtre, d'après l'antique
Circle of Nicolas Poussin (Les Andelys 1594-1665 Rome)
Hercules bringing the pelt of the Nemean Lion to Eurystheus
Follower of Nicolas Poussin
Venus surprised by satyrs
Follower of Nicholas Poussin
Landscape with travellers before a lake
Circle of Nicolas Poussin (Les Andelys, Normandy 1594-1665 Rome)
The Nurture of Bacchus
CIRCLE OF NICOLAS POUSSIN (LES ANDELYS 1594-1665 ROME)
A river god reclining in a landscape
Follower of Nicolas Poussin
Moses striking the rock
Follower of Nicolas Poussin
A Pagan sacrifice
Circle of Nicolas Poussin (Les Andelys, Normandy 1594-1665 Rome)
The Angel appearing to Hagar and Ishmael
Circle of Sébastien Bourdon (Montpellier 1616-1671 Paris)
The Visitation
Circle of Nicolas Poussin (French, 1594-1665)
An allegorical scene
Circle of Nicolas Poussin (Les Andelys, Normandy 1594-1665 Rome)
Design for a bas-relief: Hercules and the cattle of Geryon
JEAN-LEMAIRE POUSSIN (DAMMARTIN-EN-GOËLE 1598-1659 GAILLON)
Muletier au repos dans le Campo Vaccino (recto); Étude d'un angle de corniche de temple antique enfoui, vue extérieure et intérieure (verso)