French Artists

French Artists
  • Paul Cézanne
  • Gustave Courbet
  • Jacques-Louis David
  • Edgar Degas
  • Eugène Delacroix
  • Paul Gauguin
  • Claude Monet
  • Auguste Renoir
  • Nicolas Poussin
  • Henri Matisse
  • Antoine Watteau
  • Jean-François Millet
  • Charles Le Brun
  • Jean Fouquet

Nicolas Poussin (1594 - 1665)

Born in 1594, this French painter was one of the greatest exponents of 17th-century French classical painting. Symbolizing the virtues of clarity, logic and order in his work, Poussin was one of the artists in French history that influenced French art significantly. Most of Poussin's life was spent working in Rome; however, at one point in time, Cardinal Richelieu ordered that he go back to France to be a painter for the King.

As soon as he was able, in 1643, Poussin left France for Rome once more where he produced many of his most well-known pieces. Poussin remained in Rome until his death on November 19, 1665. He was buried in the St. Lawrence church in Lucina.

His many remarkable works include for example:

  • Seven Sacraments
  • Diogenes throwing away his Scoop
  • Vision of St Paul
  • Holy Family
  • The Adulteress
  • Shepherds of Arcadia